New Salford youth centre gets go-ahead to meet increased demand

A new multi-million pound youth centre in Pendleton has secured planning permission.

The youth centre, Salford Youth Zone, is set to open in early 2025 next to Belvedere Road and Broadwalk, just off the A6 facing the university.

Salford Council has approved plans for the centre which will help to meet demand for more youth spaces where children are able to socialise and access support.

Around 24 per cent of young people in the North West have stopped social activities outside school because of the cost–of–living crisis, according to national youth charity OnSide,

51 per cent of young people in England are also reportedly spending most of their free time in their bedrooms, often looking at screens.

Salford Mayor Paul Dennett said: “When it is open, it will make such a difference to the lives of young people in the city. It will also create jobs and volunteering opportunities for local people.”

Great to see progress being made in delivering Salford’s 1st Youth Zone @Salford_YZ in the heart of Pendleton this afternoon, following planning permission being granted👇🏻

Really looking forward to this being delivered for our children & young people. #SpiritOfSalford #❤️Salford pic.twitter.com/Qy9xN807at

— SalfordMayor (@salford_mayor) October 21, 2023

The Youth Zone is set to create up to 70 full and part-time jobs and up to 100 volunteering opportunities.

Once construction has been completed, Salford Youth Zone will open to young people (aged 8-19, and up to 25 with additional needs) seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year.

Young people are able to access the facilities at the club for 50p per visit and one £5 annual membership.

Salford Youth Zone is being delivered with the support of Salford City Council and youth charity Empower.

Empower also operates HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton (Manchester), in partnership with national youth charity OnSide and local businessman and philanthropist, Fred Done.

Empower Youth Zones has been offered a £6.2million Youth Investment Fund grant to build the new Salford Youth Zone.

CEO of youth charity Empower, Adam Farricker, said: “Gaining this approval is exciting news for every single young person in Salford and we can’t wait to get on site and begin construction.”