New dawn for youth facilities in Ashfield

Work has just started on building works for an exciting new £800,000 young people’s centre in Ashfield.

Nottinghamshire County Council is continuing its pledge to invest in services for young people with the plans which will see a council-owned building and gymnasium renovated into a modern new youth facility, in Station Road, in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

Tomlinson’s have been appointed as the main contractor for the 20-week renovation project with plans to have it open and operating by next March.

Agencies which have previously used the site include Sutton Girls Grammar School, and the Schools Inspection Service. It is currently, and will remain, a training programme for young people - (Skills for Employment) and the development of the site for a Young People's Centre will enhance the facilities for young people in the Ashfield area.

The new centre will feature various facilities for young people including a cafe area, DJ booth and recording studio, dance area, pool tables and other activities including advice and welfare services.

With development work currently ongoing on the new £5.3m West Bridgford Library and Young People’s Centre – also opening next March, both projects will bring the number of young people’s centres operating in the county to 29.

Coun Lynn Sykes, Committee Chair for Early Years and Young People’s Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “As a local authority, we are committed to not only safeguarding services for young people but also to invest further in facilities for them.

“We are excited about the plans in prospect for this new centre within Sutton-in-Ashfield and looking forward to it opening in the new year.”

Sara Platt, Ashfield Locality Manager for the Young People’s Service at Nottinghamshire County Council added: “It is a fantastic opportunity for the young people of Ashfield, it is bringing an underused building into use and is a huge improvement on the current provision."

Nottinghamshire County Council’s latest project will be its latest permanent youth facility in Ashfield district. Others include centres at Quarrydale School; The Acre Young People's Centre in Kirkby; Selston Young People's Centre and Hucknall Young People's Centre.