Portishead to get own youth cafe

Plans to open a youth cafe at Portishead youth centre have finally got the go ahead.

This has been a long awaited project for the town - something the young people have been asking for for a long time – but will it take them off the streets?

Residents complain that young people meet at the Lake Grounds and other areas in the town until the early hours causing a nuisance, so hopefully by providing them with a meeting place of their own, this will nip this in the bud.

Councillors approved plans to extend the Harbour Road centre to include a multi use hall, cafe, training kitchen, art and craft space and offices.

As part of the project the entrance to the centre will be moved from Harbour Road to Station Road and a separate vehicle and pedestrian access created.

The project is the final phase of a £900,000 project to revamp the centre, which opened in 1966 and has become a hub for youth activities.

The final phase of the work is expected to cost around £630,000 and it is hoped builders will move on site later this year.

The money for the scheme has been raised as a result of grants from a range of organisations, including Portishead Town Council, local fundraising and section 106 cash from planning agreements with developers.

Work on the first phase of the redevelopment, which cost in the region of £250,000 was completed last February and saw the refurbishment of an office into an administration area and consulting room.

Both the male, female and disabled loos have been totally revamped and fitted with a baby changing facility.

The centre's media suite - home to the youth centre's Radio Dynamic station - has also been revamped and a new multi purpose hall, complete with dance studio, created.

Portishead Youth Centre senior youth worker, Alan Rowe, said: "It is fantastic news that permission for the final phase of the development has been granted.

"The young people and the community in general have been waiting a very long time for this to happen.

"The management committee has worked tirelessly and have faced many challenges along the way to make this refurbishment happen.

"The end is now in sight and it will give fresh life to the building which has already served the community for nearly 50 years."

Planning permission for a bigger scheme at the centre was agreed three years ago.

The original plans included the creation of a new sports and community on the centre's existing multi sports area.

It had been hoped to secure a £5 million Government grant from the MySpace fund towards the costs of the project, but the bid was turned down and a smaller scale scheme drawn up.

Portishead councillor and chairman of North Somerset Council's north area planning committee which granted the approval, David Pasley, said: "The youth club is an essential part of the town and provides much needed facilities for the young people of Portishead.

"I hope that these latest enhancements will make it more appealing to a wider group of young people."

The club is a popular venue with young people, providing sports, arts, crafts and music activities as well as regular outings, and welcomes scores of teenagers through its doors each week.

It also holds soft play and toddlers sessions throughout the week.

 

 

 

 

 

Plans to open a youth cafe at Portishead youth centre have finally got the go ahead.

This has been a long awaited project for the town - something the young people have been asking for for a long time – but will it take them off the streets?

Residents complain that young people meet at the Lake Grounds and other areas in the town until the early hours causing a nuisance, so hopefully by providing them with a meeting place of their own, this will nip this in the bud.

Councillors approved plans to extend the Harbour Road centre to include a multi use hall, cafe, training kitchen, art and craft space and offices.

As part of the project the entrance to the centre will be moved from Harbour Road to Station Road and a separate vehicle and pedestrian access created.

The project is the final phase of a £900,000 project to revamp the centre, which opened in 1966 and has become a hub for youth activities.

The final phase of the work is expected to cost around £630,000 and it is hoped builders will move on site later this year.

The money for the scheme has been raised as a result of grants from a range of organisations, including Portishead Town Council, local fundraising and section 106 cash from planning agreements with developers.

Work on the first phase of the redevelopment, which cost in the region of £250,000 was completed last February and saw the refurbishment of an office into an administration area and consulting room.

Both the male, female and disabled loos have been totally revamped and fitted with a baby changing facility.

The centre's media suite - home to the youth centre's Radio Dynamic station - has also been revamped and a new multi purpose hall, complete with dance studio, created.

Portishead Youth Centre senior youth worker, Alan Rowe, said: "It is fantastic news that permission for the final phase of the development has been granted.

"The young people and the community in general have been waiting a very long time for this to happen.

"The management committee has worked tirelessly and have faced many challenges along the way to make this refurbishment happen.

"The end is now in sight and it will give fresh life to the building which has already served the community for nearly 50 years."

Planning permission for a bigger scheme at the centre was agreed three years ago.

The original plans included the creation of a new sports and community on the centre's existing multi sports area.

It had been hoped to secure a £5 million Government grant from the MySpace fund towards the costs of the project, but the bid was turned down and a smaller scale scheme drawn up.

Portishead councillor and chairman of North Somerset Council's north area planning committee which granted the approval, David Pasley, said: "The youth club is an essential part of the town and provides much needed facilities for the young people of Portishead.

"I hope that these latest enhancements will make it more appealing to a wider group of young people."

The club is a popular venue with young people, providing sports, arts, crafts and music activities as well as regular outings, and welcomes scores of teenagers through its doors each week.

It also holds soft play and toddlers sessions throughout the week.