Latest on plans to bring £8 million youth zone to borough

Thursday, 29 September 2022 08:30

By David Murphy

For illustrative purposes only, the OnSide Youth Zone in Wigan.

Bury town centre is likely to be the home of a new £8 million Youth Zone to provide facilities and activities for the borough’s young people.

OnSide Youth Zones offer a wide range of sporting, artistic, cultural, physical and recreational opportunities, as well as access to personal development and informal education, providing young people with the opportunities to shine.

Viability studies have been carried out on whether Bury or Radcliffe would be the best location for the Youth Zone, as these are the areas with the highest level of need and good public transport links.

OnSide has now recommended that Bury town centre should be the location. However, they also recommend carrying out targeted outreach work in Radcliffe which would be an integral part of the wider regeneration of the town centre.

The cost of the youth zone is estimated at £8.4m, to be met by the private sector through OnSide and by the council with the help of Government grants.

Typically, a charge of 50p is made per session, giving young people access to more than 20 activities each evening.

Independent studies have shown that young people who attend youth zones become healthier, do better in school, and live more positive lives.

Councillor Lucy Smith, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We are committed to supporting and helping all young people across the six townships of Bury. A new youth zone would be an accessible point for affordable and suitable facilities for everyone and be part of a wider offer for young people and children."

OnSide CEO Kathryn Morley said: “We are excited to be working with Bury Council to explore the possible development of an OnSide Youth Zone in the borough. Youth Zones are incredible places that offer young people affordable access to state-of-the-art facilities and vital youth worker support.”

Further work will be done on the plan and brought to next January’s meeting of the council’s cabinet.