CHRISTCHURCH Priory has celebrated the opening of a new cafe bar and gift shop.

The cafe bar, Cloisters, will open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm, serving refreshments.

Maureen and Brian Keemer continue to manage catering events at the Priory, with the assistance of a Salli Keemer as the new catering supervisor.

Christchurch Priory Ltd, which runs the facility, hopes Cloisters will strengthen the future security of the Priory, as well as helping towards the objectives of its Out Reach scheme, which aims to work with the wider community and encourage involvement from younger people.

The spacious new gift shop in Priory House new gift shop sells cards, books, CDs and souvenirs, including some new lines, and opened at the same time as the new catering facilities.