WARRINGTON’S long-awaited town centre youth café should be open before the end of the year.
It will be in Time Square in the former Carphone Warehouse premises – not the former Lloyds-TSB bank building originally earmarked for the scheme.
The borough council says the new facility will provide young people with a safe place to meet up with friends and take part in a range of positive activities.
The café will also act as a drop-in venue for advice and information services.
The project has brought together a diverse group from different age groups, backgrounds and interest groups including Gay and Lesbian Youth Support Service (GLYSS), Warrington Youth Council (IMPACT), Eastern European Group, Foundation for Peace and Warrington Youth Support Service.
A young people’s stakeholder group is meeting every couple of weeks to set out the priorities and design of the café.
The group have already identified an open space that could accommodate a “stage area” for activities such as DJ/ MCing, and a “chill out zone” which will be furnished with comfy sofas and bean bags.
The café will be WIFI enabled and young people will be able to access the internet.
There will be charging facilities for mobile phones and iPods for free.
If any young people would like further information or to get involved with the project they should contact Steph Taylor at Warrington Youth Support Service [email protected] or call 07747 473819.
The original plan to use the former bank building was dropped after it was discovered it had major electrical and plumbing issues which made the cost of making the building safe excessive.
Since then, the council has been looking for alternative premises.
Like the previous proposal, the youth cafe will have only a limited life in Time Square which is due to be demolished in a few years’ time.
Youth cafe will open this year
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
