The former Royal Bank of Scotland building in Ashford that sat empty for five years has been transformed into a church.

The New City of Redemption Parish has taken over the Royal Bank of Scotland building and the church leaders hope to brighten up the area.

Pastors had put forward plans to convert the building in April 2022 and were finally able to launch services recently.

The church, which was founded in 2008 and is part of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, has been searching for a home for years and moved several times.

Pastor Titi Oloruntoba, co-pastor with her husband Pastor Ayo, said that she is happy to be in the town centre.

The pastor went on: “It is amazing to be open and we cannot thank God enough. It has been a journey but finally, we have a place to settle.

“We used to only be able to meet one day a week at the rented hall but now we can come in any time.

“We have children’s parties, coffee mornings and Bible study. We also have a youth centre and have something called prayer and pizza for the young people.

“To be in the town centre is a joyous opportunity for us, it means we are in the heart of the town which is the icing on top of the cake.”

Along with renovations, a condition of planning meant the place of worship had to be soundproofed, something volunteers have worked hard to ensure.

Pastor Oloruntoba, who is also a physiotherapist who works in women’s health, added: “We have done a lot of work to the building and we have had lots of dedicated hands to help.

“It has taken from May to get here and little things are still happening.

“We have had to do the ceiling and we have had to soundproof everything too because it was part of the regulations.”

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