A YOUTH club is set to open at a community centre that was closed amid fears it was being used as a drinking den.

Presidents Community Hall Association has received more than £8,000 from Basildon Council to set up Just For Kids Alliance classes four times a week.

Facilities at the hall, in Hoover Drive, Laindon, will include pool, table tennis, a coffee shop and homework areas.

The money has come from the council community investment fund after a bid from the association.

A council report said: “The coffee shop will be the hub of the centre for all to sit, chat and relax. Having a cooker will also enable the hall to be hired out to include a full working kitchen which will increase usage, as the hall can be hired to people who want to use professional caterers or bring in their own food.

“New flooring and matting are required in the main hall entrance as the current flooring is worn, torn and dangerous.”

The association was given the lease in March.

Formerly called Laindon West Community Association, the hall was closed in early 2012 after the council lost confidence in the management team, amid concerns over its finances and fears it was being run largely as a drinking hole.