Hope Cafe Needs New Home

The venture was to be launched at the Wilton Cellars in Wilton Road, staffed by volunteers from local churches, but a sudden change of management meant a new home had to be located at short notice In the end the Hope Cafe was held at the Beulah Centre with youngsters being re-directed by flyers, posters and volunteers.

More than 30 teenagers turned up for the evening which began at 8pm and ended before midnight, and included a disco with lights, table football, pool, and snacks.

Cllr Michael Ensor, of Beulah Baptist Church, said: "We were so excited about having the Hope Cafe at Wilton Cellars, and everything was going just wonderfully, with all our helpers and all the things we needed to get planned."

The cancellation by Wilton Cellars must have come as a blow but Cllr Ensor said: "I thought of all those kids and didn't want them disappointed.

"It was not myself I was concerned about, or even all the helpers. It was the disappointment of the teenagers."

Newly in charge Bernard Green told the Observer: "I am but one man here with one pair of hands...I think what he is trying to do is very laudable, and I don't like seeing kids out on the streets either, but there is not an awful lot I can do. People have left here, and we are in the process of getting new people in. Unfortunately it is just not going to happen - it is a shame."

The decision was made to hold the event at Beulah Baptist Church and Cllr Ensor described the result as "all worthwhile".

He added: "It was in a different venue and the weather was awful but it's all part of the teething problems of starting a new venture. We are now trying to find a new venue. If kids don't want to come to a church building, we want to find somewhere they feel comfortable going.

"Teenagers will always want somewhere to go, and we want to provide that."