Coffee Bar

The development of the Youth Coffee Bar was a response to meet the identified need to offer the young people of Gainsborough somewhere to go that is perceived as safe, attractive, inviting, accessible, informal and friendly, on neutral territory and where they have a sense of ownership.

The philosophy is that, in order to attract and maintain engagement with young people, a facility should be provided which satisfies young people’s aspirations, expectations and wishes for a secure, supervised environment incorporating activities, style, music, décor and a café atmosphere.

After much hard work a building on Gainsborough river front has now been secured by YaSiG Ltd to be redeveloped into a Youth Coffee Bar. £1.1 million of capital funding for the redevelopment the building was obtained the facility was competed in October 2010 with YaSiG fully taking over in January 2011
The Youth Coffee Bar consists of an informal cafe area with a mixture of seating areas, tables & chairs and sofas & coffee tables (something of the Starbucks/Café Nero style).
There is a number of computer stations for free internet access and games activities (normal supervision & controls applying). Video screens and audio systems have been installed.
The décor and finish style was determined by the young people. There is a retail service area from which food and beverage can be purchased. The menu content is a mix between providing popular items suggested by the young people and the promotion of a healthy eating diet. Pricing is based on a balance between cost recovery and affordability. Food is produced within the Youth Coffee Bar’s own kitchen. This kitchen, including the food service area, also doubles as a teaching facility for vocational students in food production & service.

Ancillary meeting and counselling rooms are available for small group work, one to one support to meet individual social and personal development needs and a general Alternative Education teaching facility. There is reception and administration offices and well appointed appropriate toilets and washroom facilities.

The Board of Trustees and staff at YaSiG are working hard with Young people to ensure it is what they want.