EAST Oxford Community Centre was given a world-class makeover when paint expert and influential designer Annie Sloan teamed up with volunteers to brighten up the neighbourhood hub.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of her brand this year, Ms Sloan is redecorating 25 community spaces around the world.

The Princes Street centre was the top of the list for Ms Sloan, who has a shop in Cowley Road, as she wanted to give something back to her local community.

She said: “I have lived in St Clement’s for many years and used this centre, my children used this centre and my grandchildren now use this centre. So for me it is a really good space and I wanted to ask what we could do for them.

“We’ve been working on this project for weeks and weeks and for our first wanted to work with the local community.

“Local community and keeping independent shops going is so important.

“For me the smaller shops are very important and Cowley Road is very good for that. I think we should all make an effort to keep those independent shops.

“So for the 25 years I wanted to do something close to me.”

A team was set to work redecorating the lounge, which is used for meeting, parties, community events, film screenings, youth clubs and an over-50s drop-in.

And more than 50 turned out to grab a paintbrush and get involved.

Ms Sloan said: “We wanted the community to get really involved.

“It has been so busy, it has been amazing – I had no idea how many people just love helping.

“We have painted all the walls and lots of furniture, made some curtains for it and cushion covers and then little bits of detail to make it look a bit special.”

The shop has also been hosting workshops at the centre over the past few weeks including fabric painting and dyeing, curtain making, furniture painting and upholstery.

The room created at the community centre will be the model for the following 24 community space makeovers, which Ms Sloan said could be anywhere across the world from places as far apart as Greece and America.

Oxford City Council chief executive Peter Sloman also popped along to the centre to see all the good work that had been going on for the project.

Centre coordinator Claire Ford said: “This has come at the perfect time as the city council had given us £15,000 towards a refurb in the building.

“We have done a few bits like updating the hand dryers and mirrors.

“Then Annie called and it was as if it was meant to happen.

“It has been great having the team here and is a great thing for the centre users, and I think it will also help increase usage.

“People have seen the designs and loved it and the youth group here have been really positive about it and joining in.

“People have been learning new skills through the project and workshops and centre users have loved every moment.”