ICONIC Isle of Wight church, Newport Minster, is set to re-open to the public next month following a £2.6 million refurbishment project on the historic landmark.

The major works involved a complete reshaping of the inside of the church, with an underfloor heating system installed, together with better toilets, as well as a new kitchen, seating and meeting rooms.

The intention of the project is to help the church become "a magnet for community groups, as well as a spiritual hub for the Island".

Isle of Wight County Press: Toddlers and parents from the Play Café will be among the first groups to use the Minster's new facilities.Toddlers and parents from the Play Café will be among the first groups to use the Minster's new facilities. (Image: Contributed)

Worshippers will welcome up to 400 guests for a re-opening service, led by the Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Jonathan Frost, at 5.30pm on Wednesday, May 1.

The special service of worship will be led by students of Christ the King College and the multi-faith Newport secondary school, with readings by community leaders, including Susie Sheldon, the Island's Lord Lieutenant.

It will be the first time the Minster will open to the public since its closure for refurbishment last September.

And the first community group to use the brand new facilities will be a toddler group — The Play Café, with Pitter Patter — which used the nearby Newport Parish Centre during the works.

The group has welcomed 65 families since it was launched at the start of the year and will start meeting in the Minster from May 7.

The centre also hosted worship during the works.

The final phase of the project last September also featured the installation of a new tiled floor and display boards, to inform its 30,000 annual visitors about its history and activities.

The main worship area will have 300 moveable chairs, to allow a flexible space for community activities.

The church will serve as a centre for learning and wellbeing activities, to groups from across the Island, with a café.

Team vicar, the Rev Emma Cooksey, said: “We're delighted with the quality of the workmanship and are looking forward to show it off to our congregations and communities.

“The new facilities will enable us to do what we’ve aspired to do for years — to be a thriving hub at the centre of our community. So many have worked tirelessly for this to happen.”

The multi-phased refurbishment to conserve its exterior, saw the building removed from the Historic England ‘At Risk’ register.