New venture for teenagers will be launched on Saturday

The new venture is called the Hope Cafe and is located at the Wilton Cellars, Wilton Road. It is aimed at under-18 age (Year 10 and above) and will be opening at 8pm until midnight.

Cllr Michael Ensor, of Beulah Baptist Church, said: "The Hope Cafe will provide an place to meet, with DJ music of their choice, non-alcoholic drinks and a pool table.

"The venue has a capacity max of 100, and it is hoped that is will be a pleasant atmosphere where teenagers will be pleased to go.

"The venture will be mainly staffed by volunteers from the local churches, and it has the support of the police, Bexhill Youth Service, Rhythmix (East Sussex Music Service) and Churches Together in Bexhill. In addition Rhythmix are sponsoring a DJ Workshop in the afternoon for budding teenage DJs, who can then use their skill in the evening event.

"Because the Hope Cafe will be open to under-18s it has been necessary to implement a child protection policy. Beulah Baptist Church has provided its child protection policy and will conduct the CRB vetting of all adults involved.

"The cost for the first night will be free of charge, but it is planned to have a membership scheme of 5 entrance for the first attendance and thereafter at 3 entrance. The Hope Cafe will open on a number of dates during 2008, but the second date is Friday, December 28.

"The frequency that the Hope Cafe will open will depend on whether the teenagers find it a 'cool place to go' and the numbers of volunteer staff available from the churches.

"There will be a launch event at 4pm on the afternoon of Saturday, December 8, where anyone interested in this venture is invited to come and see what will be taking place."