AN official launch party for the revamped Foyer at Pershore's Number 8 arts venue takes place this evening.

The newly refurbished Foyer opened for business last Friday after a major facelift over summer, which transformed the box office, coffee bar, bar and gallery space.

The layout has been completely changed, décor and furnishing have been updated and a new performance space has been created.

Volunteers at Number 8 were invited to a sneak preview of the space on Thursday, September, before it opened to the public.

Fran Biggin, volunteer box office manager, said: “The new foyer is warm,

welcoming and very stylish!

"I have always been proud to be a volunteer at Number 8 and the new foyer space gives everyone who volunteers at the centre even more to be proud of.”

Number 8 managers are planning to host bands, artist talks, local musicians, poetry nights and sing-alongs in the new performance space in the foyer over the next few months.

The intention is that the Foyer will become a destination in its own right, a place where people will go for a drink in the licensed bar even if they aren’t attending a show or film at Number 8.

Emma Bangham, programme manager, said: “We are so pleased with how the foyer refurbishment has turned out.

The space has been totally transformed and the reaction from customers has been a resounding thumbs up!”

Number 8 Foyer is open Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm and from 6pm until close on performance evenings.

An exhibition of pictures from artist Hilary Roberts and unique hand-bound books from the Cut, Fold Bind group are on display in the space.