A DAY centre for homeless and disadvantaged people will open all year round, it has been announced.

The Lodging House Mission, just off the city’s Gallowgate, is extending its opening times to include New Year’s Day due to demand and the increase of homeless people looking for somewhere to find warmth, hot food and companionship.

The centre helps those sleeping on the streets or sofa surfing. It provides advice to those looking for help with a range of issues from benefit sanctions, housing help and even suicide prevention. It also runs workshops and activities including a film club and a choir and gives people access to computers. Drop in services include a nurse, foot specialists, pharmacy, street outreach workers and housing lawyers.

Gus Smeaton, manager of the Lodging House Mission, said: “We will now aim to offer a warm welcome to our homeless guests every day of the year. Public holidays and Festive breaks are just the same as every other day to the homeless.

"We have seen an increase in the need for our services since the economic downturn and are trying our very best to respond.

“We’d like to thank all the churches, trusts and individuals who have donated to us to allow this to happen. We really couldn’t do this without them.”