Youth centre ready after a year’s work and no budget

Thursday 22nd April 2010, 2:29PM BST.

Bridge beat officer Karl Addis with North Youth Centre manager Clive De La Haye in The Space, a former bookies on the Bridge that has been transformed for young people to use. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0956465)

THE St Sampson’s youth house is unofficially finished.

It is just over a year since the semi-derelict former bookies was first taken on by North Youth Centre manager Clive De La Haye and the area’s permanent beat officer, PC Karl Addis.

Although the pair had no budget with which to renovate the property it has been refurbished and rewired and now has a kitchen and cafe-style dining area.

Staffing now needs to be organised alongside a management committee and an internet connection. The project should also be registered as a charity.

‘It has taken a lot of my time this year, but it has been worth it,’ said Mr De La Haye.