A "much used and valued" café is set to be expanded through a £118,000 project.

The closed former Leavesden Cycle Hub in Leavesden Country Park will be taken over by the Woodlands Café next-door.

Three Rivers District Council approved the allocation of £60,000 to One YMCA to jointly fund the work.

Walls of the council-owned building, of which half is already leased to One YMCA which runs the café, are set to be partly knocked-through. Cycle Hub, which occupied the other half, closed last summer.

Removing part of the wall between the two sides will create a larger single space and add 46 new seats to the 28 currently on offer. Two large table areas, a long desk for single workspace provision, an additional toilet, and an extra drink service area would also be added.

At non-peak times the extra space will also be available for private hire, community events, and One YMCA initiatives.

Deputy council leader Stephen Giles-Medhurst said: “I am pleased that, with Three Rivers District Council's help and support, this fantastic project to expand this much used and valued café and community facility and help One YMCA, who provide much need training to young adults in need, can go ahead thanks to this funding from the council.

Watford Observer: Woodlands Cafe.Woodlands Cafe. (Image: Three Rivers District Council)“Woodlands Café is a valuable community asset and is very busy during peak hours with residents wanting a nice refreshment or snack when they visit Leavesden Country Park.

“Using the unutilised space, which was previously used by Leavesden Cycle Hub, is a great way to increase capacity to meet demand as well as create flexible space for the building to hold private and community events.”

The £118,000 is mostly coming from One YMCA but the council approved using money held for improvement and maintenance of the country park alongside part of its UK Shared Prosperity Fund earlier this week.

The Woodlands Café reopened under the YMCA banner in 2021 and is a not-for-profit enterprise supporting other areas of the charity’s work in the area by providing an events space and training opportunities for those staying at its hostels.