WITH Christmas just weeks away, the wraps have come off in a first of its kind haven for Hereford’s “small hours casualties”.

The city’s volunteer Street Pastors and their helpers are putting the finishing touches on a conversion of the old youth court in Gaol Street.

With that done, the old court becomes Emelia’s Place, a safe 10pm-4am recovery space for revellers who have gone too far.

Emelia’s Place is no “drunk tank” but an alternative to A&E or police cells where inebriation rather than injury is the issue.

Project leader Jason Borlase said: “We know nobody will be going out this Christmas to deliberately get themselves in a mess – when they do we want everyone to know they can be cared for without being a nuisance to the emergency services.”

Emelia’s Place takes its name from Emelia Venn, sister of the Rev John Venn, one of Hereford’s greatest benefactors.

John and Emelia Venn devoted themselves to aiding the city’s poor. Both are buried at St Peter’s Cemetery, off Commercial Road, and the archway over the entrance was put up in her honour.

Backed by a range of partners including the Police and Crime Commissioner, Hereford Diocese, and Wye Valley NHS Trust, Emelia’s Place – with an assessment area, recovery space and a supervised sleep-off room – should be open by December 13 in time for the Christmas rush.