THE former Ridgways Shoes store in Newton Abbot could soon become a Christian coffee shop and mums and tots group.

The town centre retail building was formerly three shops that have been combined to form one large retail unit which until recently traded as Ridgways Shoes, an historic family-run shoe shop which was established in 1820.

The premises at 11 to 15 Bank Street have been bought by the Rediscover Church off a guide price of £475,000 freehold.

The agents were Noon Roberts.

Tony Noon of Noon Roberts confirms there were a number of interested parties, but the church were such a positive group and excited about the project we were delighted they were the successful purchasers.

The Rediscover Church organisation says it intends to establish a Christian coffee shop and a Mums and Tots Group plus offer assistance with the homeless and other community based projects.

Eventually they would like to build a church and auditorium to the rear.

On their website the Rediscover Church describes itself as a religious organisation that has been in Exeter since 1928.

There has been an Elim Church since 1928. The church has changed in many aspects of style over these years but says it ‘has consistently desired to present the timeless hope of the gospel of Jesus’.

Founded in 1915 by George Jeffries, a young welsh evangelist, he travelled all over the UK and Ireland, sharing the gospel. Exeter was one of a number of places in England the team visited in 1928 - from this a church began.

The congregation later began meeting in the Providence Chapel on Northernhay Road which continues to be its home.

In 2016 the church was renamed ‘Rediscover Church’ which according to their website ‘captures the heart of the churches mission – to invite all people to rediscover what they understand church to be and find thriving life in God. We look to expand further in the near future, as we offer the relevant message of the gospel to communities across Devon.’