A CHARITY for the elderly says normal services will continue at its Bolton base —despite the closure of its cafe.

Age UK Bolton closed its cafe in Ashburner Street on Saturday, but charity bosses say other services will continue.

Another cafe, from the market, is due to move into the building.

The Bolton branch of the charity also announced plans to move to new premises in the autumn because of the market renovation scheme.

Chief officer Gareth Evans said: “We intend to retain a prominent and accessible town centre location, for the convenience of the charity’s many service users and supporters.

The trustees of the charity decided to close the cafe. We are not planning on opening another one in the short-term.”

Age UK Bolton’s services include insurance, information, will-making, general and legal advice, counselling, wheelchair hire and handyman services.

The centre will also continue as the main inquiry and information point for volunteers A council spokesman said: “Age UK made a decision to close their café and let us know that the space was available.

“We have been able to temporarily move a café from inside the market that was affected by its refurbishment to this empty space.”

The £4.5 million revamp of the market started in January and it is expected to be completed late next year.

Indoor market traders in the non-food section have been moved temporarily to the outdoor market throughout February.

The market’s fruit and veg section and the fish market is open for business as usual.

Age UK’s Ashburner Street centre is open from 10am until 3pm, Monday to Friday, and available by telephone on 01204 382411 from 9am to 5pm.

The charity’s Farnworthbased activities centre is unaffected by the changes.