A new Youth Cafe for teenagers in Nantwich could soon be up and running in The Gables, it has emerged.
Councillors have agreed to consider the Beam Street facility as a viable ‘short term’ venue for the cafe.
It comes after Nantwich mums Helen Chesters and Alyson Maxwell spoke at the Nantwich Town Council tonight (July 13).
Helen, who has spearheaded the Nantwich Youth Cafe community group, persuaded councillors that the Gables could be the right spot for a new cafe for teenagers aged 13 to 19.
The building is set to be transferred on August 1 from Cheshire East Council to Nantwich Town Council ownership.
The plan then is to sell the facility and use the funds to develop a community hub within Nantwich Civic Hall.
Helen, 33, a mum of two teenagers, said: “We want a cafe that the teenagers can run themselves, with support from adults, something they can be proud of and take ownership of and will respect.
“They will have somewhere to to socialise with friends and keep them off the streets and out of trouble.
“We know The Gables is going to be sold, from discussions we’ve had this could be two years away.
“We could go in there for now, establish ourselves, with a view to moving to a more permanent location in the future.”
The group has already secured six weeks of free support from Cheshire East Youth Service once the cafe location is agreed.
This will include training on issues such as child safeguarding, health and safety, first aid, conflict resolution and more.
And it has massive support from the community, with more than 700 supporters on its Facebook Page.
“We’ve been speaking to lots of young people, they are really keen on this idea,” Helen added.
“Some are already working on new logos, delivering leaflets and spreading the word. We’ve had loads of offers of support, donations and enthusiasm.”
Fellow mum Alyson added: “The Gables is an ideal location on Beam Street as it is central, it’s where many of the teenagers already congregate near the bus station.
“We know some shopkeepers have had trouble, so this could help give teenagers somewhere to go.
“If we are too far out of town, teenagers won’t bother to go.”
Nantwich Town Council’s finance committee had resolved on June 25 that The Gables “should not be used as a base for the Youth Cafe as this will undermine the sale of the building”.
However, after hearing Helen and Alyson argue their case, Cllr David Marren moved to amend that decision.
Cllr Marren (pictured, right) said: “Whilst we are resolving the sale of The Gables, we have no particular objection to the community youth cafe moving in, but would have to be a on short term basis.
“The sale of the building could go through in six to eight months – but we just don’t know at what pace this is going to be sold.”
Cllr Arthur Moran added: “I am very impressed with the Youth Cafe group, it’s a really good thing.
“We have to start doing something for this age group 13-19 year olds, and if we can support the setting up of this Youth Cafe and help get it off the ground, we should.”
Cllr Marren proposed to remove the ‘objection’ from the finance committee minutes so further discussions could be held about allowing the cafe into The Gables.
All but one of the other councillors voted in favour of this.
After the meeting, Helen added: “I’m pleased they agree it is a viable solution.
“There are so many benefits to the youth cafe and it has been very frustrating that the only thing holding us back was the lack of venue.
“It makes sense for the youth cafe to be in the town centre so its easily accessible to the teenagers.”
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