A SOUTHAMPTON based community café has been given a boost by a nearby retirement housing developer.

Parklife Community Café has been gifted £250 by developer, McCarthy Stone.

Helping to fund new reuable cups and helping to encourage the people of Shirley to go greener, it is hoped that with the funding the business can "create a lasting, positive legacy".

Based in St. James’ Park, the café aims to support the community through a variety of services, which include running a Food Bank and offering free activities for families, such as a parent and toddler group.

Its newest initiative will encourage customers to purchase reusable cups from the café in a bid to reduce the number of disposable cups being used.

Customers will also benefit from money off their drinks each time they return with the reusable cup.

Paula Shapland, Manager at Parklife Community Café, said: “We are very grateful to McCarthy Stone for its generous donation. We are truly passionate about sustainability, so we are really pleased to be able to offer this new initiative which will enable the community to “be more green” and help protect the environment. We can’t thank the McCarthy Stone team enough.”

Verity McKay, Divisional Marketing Manager at McCarthy Stone Southern, added: “The initiative is a fantastic way to inspire the people of Shirley to take care of the planet, as every little thing we do counts. It is our pleasure to support this brilliant work within the local community.”