A SUPPORT group is celebrating after plans to transform a former estate agents into a well-being centre were given the green light.

The vacant unit, in Dovercourt High Street, will be taken over by Community Voluntary Services Tendring, (CVST) to provide a range of services to the people of Harwich.

The centre will provide training, counselling, information, guidance, group sessions, volunteering opportunities and paths to employment.

A successful friendship and bereavement cafe, which has been running out of the Masonic Hall, in Main Road, will now be based at the new site.

The building will also house a one-stop shop and will be used for services, such as health checks and stop smoking support.

Sharon Alexander, chief officer for CVST, said: “The whole team are really looking forward to getting started at this new site and engaging with the people of Harwich and Dovercourt.

“We are absolutely delighted.

“There is a lot of building work to be done and we are waiting for the change of use to come through – being a charity we can’t afford to take any risks.

“The attendees of the friendship cafe cannot wait to move, it is fantastic news for them.”

The building has been used as a furniture warehouse, an auctioneers and most recently an estate agents, which closed in July.

The opening hours put forward are Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 9.30pm and 8.30am to 1.30pm on Saturdays.

A Tendring Council spokesman said: “Having regard to the benefits and in the absence of any material harm, it is felt to be acceptable to grant planning permission for this worthwhile scheme.”