Faith

A thriving city Christian Resource Centre, bookshop and café is re-opening in Norwich during October 2008, after a successful rescue plan.

The centre at St Michael-at-Plea church in Redwell Street, Norwich, was previously run by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK) until November 2006, when all shops were transferred to St Stephen the Great Charitable Trust.

Steve Foyster, manager of the SPCK Centre until May 2007, is relishing the challenge of running the new store, with him being enlisted as one of five directors for the new company.

Struggling to survive

"I was head-hunted to set up a new online Christian bookshop in Stowmarket. The SPCK had changed ownership, but not its branding or variation, so I was concerned about whether it could keep going. Eventually it did go under," said Steve Foyster.

A wider range of books will be available

Steve enjoyed his new job in Stowmarket and admits he misses the day to day banter with customers.

"I miss having the books in my hand. They were a great bunch of people in Stowmarket," he said.

The main customers to the SPCK bookshops included churches, tourists and schools.

The resurgence plan

Steve began negotiating a possible takeover of the former SPCK bookshop in 2006, to try and return it to its original form. However, those early discussions never came to fruition.

Nevertheless, Steve is very excited that not only is the centre re-opening, but with it, the café and its original chef.

"We are all coming back together again like a family. St Michael is such a lovely building and it's so light, providing a very special atmosphere," said Steve.

It hasn't been an easy transition though.

"It has been like swimming through treacle without an aqualung. It nearly drove me and the family insane!" admitted Steve.

Kind donations

The new centre managed to total £1200 in donations from an array of sources. The news of the centre's opening has also appeared on the Network Norwich website, helping advertise the company further.

"We are very blessed with the number of people that have given substantial donations and interest free loans over three years. All the previous stock had been removed so they all had to be replaced," said Steve.

Steve hopes to tempt in new guests

What to expect

The new Norwich Christian Resource Centre will have increased opening hours - 8.30am until 6pm, allowing them to lure in potential consumers with the smell of bacon rolls and fresh croissants.

The ability to link up with some local high schools, specifically the Norwich School, provides a vital market.

The centre will also boast non-alcoholic cocktails, WIFI access and regular games of backgammon and chess. 

A broader range of books and other facilities is seen as key to making the venture successful.

"Before, the shop had a strong Anglican image. We are trying to break that down. We will stock everything from cassocks to hoodies, the catechism to a Matt Redman CD," said Steve.

"Local authors will also be included, such as Professor Brian Thorne and literature about local important figures such as Mother Julian. The five new company directors are all very supportive," he added.

On the events list, Thursday, 16 October, 2008, sees David Atkinson, the Bishop of Thetford, talking about his new book on climate change 'Renewing the Face of the Earth'.

On Wednesday, 29 October, 2008, freelance broadcast journalist Claire Catford will be talking about her book titled 'Addicted to Love, from Rehab to Heaven'. She talks about her lack of self worth, bulimia and relationship addiction after divorce and how it affected her relationship with the local church.

So it looks like exciting times loom ahead for the new Norwich Christian Resource Centre - and hopefully with a little bit of help from upstairs.