A ONE-STOP Youth and Community Skills Hub is now set for the town centre after Irvine youth forum members signed up to help bring life back to a vacant unit.

Plans to open the hub in an empty unit in Irvine’s Bridgegate were approved back in July after Irvine Youth Forum were given £100,000 to establish the hub for youngsters.

And the lease was officially signed at their current HQ last week [Thursday, November 18] at the Redburn Community Centre.

The new Bridgegate community hub will target young people from P7 upwards and include young people in specialised projects through which qualifications may be achieved.

Leisure activities will be provided for young people to enjoy and keep them safe and out of harm by working closely with North Ayrshire Council Connected Communities Team (Youth Work).

Other partners will include the Ayrshire Film Company who will deliver employability programmes for young people and adults with disabilities, and the Irvine Marymass Committee.

Irvine Youth Forum previously received £100,000 for the project – with funds approved by North Ayrshire Council’s administration back in May.

Cllr Joe Cullinane said: “Our Council Cabinet approved £100,000 from our Community Investment Fund for a new project being led by Irvine Youth Forum.

“The Youth Forum are going to use the funds to create a Youth and Skills Hub in Irvine town centre offering young people leisure activities as well as qualification opportunities offered in partnership with public bodies and local groups.”

Planning documents state: “It is considered that the proposed use would contribute positively to the life of Irvine town centre. The proposed use has the potential to attract young people into the town centre, which would also support other businesses.”