A DERELICT cafe has been given a new lease of life as a children’s nursery.

Lascelles Lodge, a familiar feature of Lascelles Park in Slough for the past 83 years, has been transformed thanks to a £320,000 refurbishment project by Slough Borough Council.

The former sports pavilion and cafe, built in 1932, fell into disrepair in the late 1990s and eventually became derelict in 2004 after vandals set fire to it.

Now the listed building is not only home to the Lascelles Park Nursery, but also to the Beehive Foundation, a charity which supports disadvantaged and disabled children, as well as providing changing rooms for Thames Valley FC.

The newly refurbished lodge was officially opened by Cllr Satpal Parmar, commissioner for parks and open spaces, on Monday.

He said: “It is wonderful to see this beautiful old building, which is so much a part of Slough’s rich heritage, brought back to life.

“I can’t think of a better, more appropriate way to put the heart back into the park and protect the lodge for future generations than for the young people themselves to be custodians of it.

“I hope they will be very happy in their new home.” The nursery has signed a 15-year lease for use of the building.

Martin Dennis, project manager for Slough Borough Council, said: “The building was in a very poor state after years of neglect.

“Thankfully, the building wasn’t beyond saving and the results have been worth it.

“The lodge can now continue its important role of bringing vitality to the park and attracting visitors.”