Group calls for support as it battles to save Redditch Youth House from demolition (From Redditch Advertiser)

Group calls for support as it battles to save Redditch Youth House from demolition

1:20pm Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News

THE Redditch public is being asked to show its backing for a newly formed group which has been given additional time to try and raise £150,000 to save Redditch Youth House from demolision.

The venue has been serving the youth of the town for almost 50 years but is earmarked for closure by Worcestershire County Council as it attempts to save millions of pounds.

The council said the youth centre is in poor condition and is costing it £50,000 a year to run.

Several youth centres across the county have already been sold as the local authority looks to find £90m savings by 2017.

The Redditch Youth and Community Enterprise (RYCE) organisation has been set up with the purpose of buying the Youth House building in Smallwood from the county council, at a cost of £150,000, and running it as a community facility.

Julie Bennett, a member of RYCE, said: “The Youth House is a fantastic facility with a sports hall, music room, fully equipped kitchen and computer area. Young people meet here a number of times every week, and enjoy the opportunity to get together and meet new friends.

“With the many cuts in public services, there are increasingly fewer facilities for young people and it would be a great shame for this building to be sold and demolished. The Youth House is the last youth club in Redditch and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.

“I understand the need for Worcestershire County Council to save money – which is why they are closing and selling the building. However, I feel it should be sold to the community so that it can continue to serve the people of Redditch. Redditch Youth and Community Enterprise (RYCE) hopes to raise funds to do this. I would ask people in Redditch to support this cause whenever and wherever they can.”

The Youth House is due to be closed at the end of the year, after Worcestershire County Council extended an autumn deadline.

RYCE will need to apply for grants to raise the £150,000 but before it is able to do this, it has to register as a BenCom, (community benefit societies) and this will cost it £1,400.

To raise this money, it is inviting people to join the group, at a cost of £3, and will be holding various fundraising events such as discos.

For more details about RYCE, visit www.facebook.com/savetheredditchyouthcentres or call RYCE chairman Ray Groves on 07977 584297.