YOUNG people in Axminster will have a place to gather and socialise with the re-opening of Axminster Youth Centre.

After months of refurbishment and improvements, the youth centre will re-open for a sneak preview on Saturday, November 3 and re-open fully from Tuesday, November 6.

Local residents and families are invited to join the preview celebration between 12pm and 3pm, with activities including face painting, karaoke, dressing up, refreshments and prizes.

The building in Lyme Road was closed in February for a complete refit and removal of asbestos, which had limited how young people had been able to use the premises It is reopening with a new music room, fully equipped with instruments and DJ equipment, a well-appointed arts room, and a main hall for communal activities which also includes a pool table.

The building is now fully accessible to people with disabilities, and includes a lift to the first floor, which will be used by Petroc College for some of their courses.

Around 30 to 40 young people are expected to use the youth centre during evening sessions from November. For the past seven months many of them have been using Devon County Council’s mobile youth service while they wait for their centre to re-open.

Coun Stuart Barker, cabinet member with responsibility for the service, said: “We have been very pleased to be investing in young people’s services.

“And I’m delighted that they’re getting back a hugely improved resource. “If we want to see young people being supported and helped to with advice, activities and the opportunity to learn new skills we have to ensure that the right locations are available to them. As a pay-back we will want to encourage them to carry out voluntary work in their local community."

County council chairman Coun Jerry Brook and Axminster mayor and local county council member Coun Andrew Moulding will be cutting the ribbon at the centre at midday on Saturday.

Coun Moulding allocated council funds for the centre to include a new kitchen.

He said: “I’m delighted with the new building, and young people will also see a tremendous difference in the way the facilities have been improved.”

The youth service supports teenagers, and provides activities and opportunities to learn new skills. Young people are also encouraged to carry out voluntary work in their local community.

The hall and the kitchen will also be available for the community to use, for events or children's parties during the day or at weekends.

Coun Barker said: “We’re hoping that local people will want to come along to our preview opening on Saturday, November 3 to have a good look around and to enjoy some of the activities that we’ll be laying on. “Everyone’s welcome and it’ll be a great opportunity for teenagers to meet the new area youth worker and team.”

The refurbishment has been completed by local builders Bagwells.

For details of booking and availability, contact Kate Metcalfe on 01297 32820 or 01404 813195.