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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Youth space/cafe

45 replies

Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:15

I need to sound this idea somewhere and get some advice on whether it has any traction as a business opportunity.

I live in a market town, a large one. The town centre has a lot of cafes, charity shops etc. There are lots of facilities locally for parents with young children but aside from sports clubs and church groups there's nothing for teenagers/young adults.

There is a commercial building available to rent on the market square. Its £16000/annum to rent excl bills and business rates.

My idea is a cafe / meeting place for young people. It would serve light snacks, drinks, milk shakes etc and would have games like fussball, table tennis, giant connect four, free WiFi, maybe vintage arcade games and a photo booth, maybe a few board games. All of which would have a charge to use.

I have never ran a business before. I have no idea if this sort of thing is viable and I am very much just at the day dreaming stage. One concern is lack of use during the day time although there is a college a short walk away.

Any feedback, opinions, tips, advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

OP posts:
Galarunner · 05/02/2023 15:23

I think the only way to make this viable is to run it as a charity. It would be staffed by volunteers. Grant funding from things like the national lottery. You would have to prove you were doing it for social good, ie helping disadvantaged groups. I work for a youth charity it is very, very hard to secure funding, even for experienced professional fund raisers. Teens have very little disposable income!

Whatislove82 · 05/02/2023 15:25

There is one right on centre of the very affluent town I live in

it’s never full and when I pass and see teens in there…. There’s a very “Christian, studious and earnest” look about them. So nice for that group to have a space but not the type that would be causing any trouble if they didn’t have it!

Original poster
Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:27

@galarunner thanks for the advice. I hadnt considered it as a charity. I see it more as a gao in the market but I hear what you're saying that teenagers are skint often

OP posts:
Whatislove82 · 05/02/2023 15:28

What’s your motivation?

profit? Not a cats chance in hell

FOR young people and give them a space out of goodness of your heart? A few may utilise but they will be as above

Whatislove82 · 05/02/2023 15:28

Do you have kids? Teenagers?

Whatislove82 · 05/02/2023 15:28

Are you in Tunbridge wells by any chance?

Original poster
Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:29

@Whatislove82 hmm yes we are a somewhat affluent area but there is a problem with youths on the streets from the estates. In my head it would be a 'cool' place to hang out for anyone.

OP posts:
CraftyGin · 05/02/2023 15:29

It's a lovely idea and I think there is a need for this type of facility.

However, it is very risky and it would be difficult to see how you could get a return on your investment.

Can you register as a charity? This is really what you would be.

Are there any shops in your town that would inevitably turn into charity shops?

Can you partner with your local church, who may have expertise in engaging with young people?

Although young people enjoy playing games, the current research is that they really want to go deeper than this. You might be able to provide a hook for them to, in turn, do something for your community, eg something eco.

Original poster
Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:30

@Whatislove82 no I'm in the midlands and no, I have toddlers😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:32

@craftygin yeah a place they can meet to share ideas to help the environment, like a base for them. I appreciate theres probably no money in this😅

OP posts:
Original poster
Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:32

Partnering with a church is a good idea

OP posts:
Whatislove82 · 05/02/2023 15:33

Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:29

@Whatislove82 hmm yes we are a somewhat affluent area but there is a problem with youths on the streets from the estates. In my head it would be a 'cool' place to hang out for anyone.

It won’t be.

I wish o could say otherwise Op

But it really truly won’t be

Original poster
Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:33

Maybe hosting talks about eco issues, film nights, games nights, quizes etc

OP posts:
Whatislove82 · 05/02/2023 15:34

Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:32

Partnering with a church is a good idea

they will be supportive but not financially

Whatislove82 · 05/02/2023 15:34

Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:30

@Whatislove82 no I'm in the midlands and no, I have toddlers😂

I’d have been surprised if you’d had teens

Original poster
Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:35

@Whatislove82 why do say that? What can be done to draw them in and make it cool?

OP posts:
CraftyGin · 05/02/2023 15:35

Whatislove82 · 05/02/2023 15:34

they will be supportive but not financially

Show quote history

Not necessarily. They might adopt you as a mission partner, and provide you with part of their tithe.

Whatislove82 · 05/02/2023 15:35

Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:32

@craftygin yeah a place they can meet to share ideas to help the environment, like a base for them. I appreciate theres probably no money in this😅

They do that at school Op. loads

Whatislove82 · 05/02/2023 15:36

CraftyGin · 05/02/2023 15:35

Not necessarily. They might adopt you as a mission partner, and provide you with part of their tithe.

Show quote history

Current overheads are enormous

plus they have a church hall that invariably use for toddler groups, beavers, cadets etc

2reefsin30knots · 05/02/2023 15:36

I can see my 12yo DS and his mates going to a place that had pool, table football, air hockey etc and coffee and wifi.

Wouldn't your outlay on all that be absolutely massive though? And how would you stop it being taken over by one group of kids and therefore too intimidating for anyone else to go? I'm not sure my DS would go if there were scary big-boyz 😆How would you stop that atmosphere developing?

Whatislove82 · 05/02/2023 15:37

They would definitely support

but I highly doubt financially. Churches are really really struggling with energy prices

gogohmm · 05/02/2023 15:37

Teens don't find spaces designed for them cool. A dry bar may have legs though, we had one my kids went to, coffees, cheesecake, gelato and smoothies on ground floor for all ages then pool table, juke box and dingy lighting in the basement . Popular with non drinkers up to late 20's especially Asian women

Whatislove82 · 05/02/2023 15:38

Your opening hours… a large space but only open from 3.45pm onwards

until when?

evenings?staff?

Original poster
Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:38

Yeah outlay would probably be massive. Its so frustrating because theres so little to do at weekends and in the evenings for teenagers

OP posts:
Whatislove82 · 05/02/2023 15:39

Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 05/02/2023 15:38

Yeah outlay would probably be massive. Its so frustrating because theres so little to do at weekends and in the evenings for teenagers

Thankfully mine… it’s all sport, matches, home, short, eat and food.