Teenagers can have a 'wheelie' fun time fixing up bikes at a new workshop in Renfrew now some old public toilets have been transformed into a cyclist's paradise.
Community organisation Kustom Kruizers took over the former loo block in Robertson Park following a successful community asset transfer from Renfrewshire Council in 2019.
The project teaches young people aged 13 to 21 - often from disadvantaged backgrounds - how to strip, build and restore bikes which, once in a good condition, are then sold on.
And after two years of hard work since securing the transfer, the group has finally opened the doors of its shiny new workshop where youngsters can learn a range of mechanical skills and gain qualifications.
School pupils will also be able to gain work experience at the takeaway coffee bar which offers hot and cold drinks alongside home-baked treats.
Dave Neill, founder of Kustom Kruizers, said he was excited to finally have the building open after a difficult period grappling with coronavirus restrictions.
"We were pretty much ready to get started with the building work just before Covid came and then we had to shut down, " said Mr Neill.
"It was frustrating but I'd much rather have opened it now than opened it before Covid and then had to close.
"We still managed to do plenty out in the community in the meantime servicing bikes and supplying people with bikes who had to get rid of their cars during lockdown.
"It is so exciting but also surreal to finally have the workshop open. It's turned out 100 times better than we expected. We didn't realise how big the space would be until everything had been taken out.
"It just looks superb."
The building work was completed by Glasgow architects Solid Matter Projects.
Kustom Kruizers is one of many projects to benefit from the council's £1.5million Community Empowerment Fund, which supports groups to develop ideas for underused buildings.
As well as leasing the group its new base, the council awarded the organisation £25,000 to transform the building.
Gavin Newlands, Renfrew's MP, was taken on a tour of the new facility this week and said he was impressed with the transformation.
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He added: "The workshop looks amazing. It's very hard to believe that it is housed in the old public toilets.
"This has been a few years in the making. Myself and local councillor John Shaw have been supporters of the initiative since the start. I donated my far-too-infrequently used mountain bike a few years ago.
"Good luck to Dave and the team, and for those not interested in bikes or needing repairs done, they do an excellent coffee at their takeaway cafe too."
