Plans for a 'grand pavilion' come to a halt for a Grimsby youth centre
Planning permission was recently approved for an extension but the centre has lost out on funding
Last updated 7th Jun 2023
A youth centre in North East Lincolnshire says plans for a ‘grand pavilion extension’ that would be used for an education centre wont be going ahead as they say they’ve lost out on thousands of pounds in government funding.
Plans were approved for an expansion on the Shalom Youth centre to create extra space but money from Youth investment fund hasn't been granted.
Shalom Youth Centre began in 1972 through St John and St Stephen’s Church, Grimsby. Founder Canon John Ellis continues to run it. The proposed pavilion would include two youth spaces, offices, toilets, a covered outdoor courtyard and a study or meeting room.
However, it's not been plain sailing for John as he says he's lost out on thousands of pounds and can no longer go ahead with development, he said:
"Last March when the planning permission just about went through, the Youth investment fund turned around to us and said if it's alternative education then we don't fund it. We were upfront from the start about what funding we were asking for.
"We have a lot of very high risk young people who aren't really doing very well and a lot of them are dropping out of education.
"The new development would of addressed all of that and would of been fantastic."
The Intermediary Grant Maker who manages the YIF programme, said:
"The Youth Investment Fund is a great opportunity to create and develop new youth facilities, funded by the UK Government. In order to ensure the money meets the programme objectives, there are certain eligibility criteria that we have to adhere to within our decision making and we are unable to offer a grant if the planned activities do not meet these."
John says another reason why they won't be able to move into the planned new building is because the IntoUniversity have pulled out of a partnership with them on the project. The Into University offers a programme that supports young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods to attain their chosen aspiration, including further and higher education, employment and work-based training.
A spokesperson from Into University said:
"We were very disappointed that the Shalom Youth Centre’s bid for funding for their building project, to support the crucial work they do with young people, was unsuccessful.
"Reverend John Ellis and colleagues at the Shalom Youth Centre have been hugely supportive of IntoUniversity and we look forward to partnering with them, for example, by supporting families, and referring students between our programmes."