A weekly friendship group is going from strength to strength thanks to Mansfield’s busy shopping centre.

The Four Seasons teamed up with Nottinghamshire County Council’s Age Friendly team to providing the venue and support for the fast-growing friendship group.

Aimed at bringing people together for coffee, tea and a chat, the Four Seasons Friendship Coffee Group meets every Tuesday, from 10am to noon, in the centre’s free community space, The Hive.

The group is open to all to pop in for a chat and to make new friends.

The Hive is an empty shop unit that the centre has converted into a multi-functional venue to host small events, meetings and activities.

“We love having the Friendship Group here and would like to see many more group initiatives take place here for local people,” said Rebekah O’Neill, centre manager.

Any community groups, organisations and charities interested in using The Hive should email [email protected]

The idea for the coffee and catch-up came from a Ladybrook resident, who wanted to set up a new friendship group in the centre of Mansfield.

Following a meeting between the Four Seasons, Age Friendly Nottinghamshire (AFN) and the public, the centre offered The Hive as a venue.

Thirteen people attended the first session, but now around 50 drop in.

They include people who have been recently bereaved and retired, and people who have moved to the area. There are also carers among those who attend.

A spokesman for AFN thanked the Four Seasons.

Lyndon is 73 and his wife Barbara is 66. Having recently moved to Mansfield from Halifax, the couple didn’t know anyone and were just having a look around the shopping centre when theysaw the new group being advertised at The Hive. They decided to pop in and have never looked back. Both are now very active members of the group, setting up the room, organising the refreshment and chatting to everyone who comes along.

Another lady, also called Barbara, has lived in Mansfield her whole life. The AFN team introduced her to this new group and she came along the first week and has been every week since.Barbara seems to know everyone in Mansfield and is a brilliant ‘meeter and greeter’, encouraging people to come along and making everyone feel welcome.

Violet is 90 years young, born and bred in Mansfield. She says “It’s a cosy atmosphere and very friendly. It’s nice to have somewhere to have a cuppa and people to talk to”