Cafe Frobisher, based in the Martin Frobisher Centre at the library, will help to provide skills and opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.

It will also give accredited employment training in all aspects of catering to service users.

The nautical-themed cafe has seating for 30 people including outdoor seating in a patio area.

Wakefield Council’s family services department and the Learning Disability Development Fund gave around £54,000 to the project.

Coun Maureen Cumm-ings, cabinet member for adults and health, said: “I’m delighted to be able to open this new cafe and training facility.

“Inspired by our famous local explorer, Cafe Frobisher also promises to open up exciting new and real training opportunities for our service users. Plus with great food on offer as well, we hope the local community take an early look at the tasty range of dishes.”

Martin Frobisher was born in Altofts in around 1535 and was vice admiral to Sir Francis Drake.

He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1588 for his services to repelling the Spanish Armada.

The adults running the cafe will be volunteers and will be taught about food preparation skills, health and safety, customer care, record keeping and stock control by the council’s Adult Education Service and the Workers’ Educational Association.

And it is hoped their new skills will help them find employment.

A new menu has been created and the cafe will be open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30am to 2.30pm.