'Significant step forward' for new youth centre

More than 4,000 young people voted to name the centre 224, which stands for 'Today, Tomorrow, Forever'

Construction has started on a new £11m youth facility that supporters said shows a "vote of confidence" in the city's "amazing young people".

The 224 Youth Zone, being built in Knowle West, Bristol, will support up to 4,000 children and young people.

Filwood councillor Lisa Durston said the area had been overlooked in the past, and added: "This is a significant step forward for the whole area."

The centre is set to be completed in Spring 2026 and will have a sports hall, boxing club, arts and crafts room, and a media and technology suite.

Construction has started after four young people from Hartcliffe broke the first ground at the site

The 224 Youth Zone will be run by local award-winning charity Youth Moves and developed by OnSide, a national charity that has built 15 similar youth centres across the country.

"Without the local youth club to rehearse at and DJ, things would have been very different in my musical life," said Portishead's Geoff Barrow.

"So I understand how vital these new facilities alongside great youth work will be to local kids, helping them to engage with their creative talent."

CEO Matt Justice will begin his role in January

Newly-appointed CEO Matt Justice said the new site would be "transformative, safe, and inspiring".

"If you don't give young people a safe space to go where they feel like they belong outside of school, it has detrimental effects," he said.

The centre will offer embedded youth work alongside a range of services on offer for a £5 annual membership and 50p per visit.

While the centre will mostly serve eight to 19-year-olds, Mr Justice said it will welcome those with additional needs aged up to 25.

The site will be built using £9m from the government's Youth Investment Fund, as well as contributions from Bristol City Council and St James' Place Charitable Foundation.

The council will also contribute towards the annual costs for the first three years.

Filwood councillor Rob Logan said: "The new 224 Youth Zone is vote of confidence in the future, and in Bristol's amazing young people.

"It will be a destination of choice for young people from across South Bristol and will be something the whole community is engaged with and can be proud of."

Partners, supporters and young people were invited to step onto the site on Thursday to mark the beginning of construction.

Guy Power, Youth Moves' interim CEO, said: "The Youth Zone will give thousands of young people the opportunity to make new friends, discover new passions and continue to be supported by dedicated Youth Workers."