Hope and relief' as seaside town's last youth centre saved

"Pie Factory Music, the charity that is based in the youth centre, has for many years provided a social space for eight- to 25-year-olds, but also offers services including counselling, employment advice, life-skills sessions, assistance for young refugees, and creative and music projects. After a campaign that started in September 2024, Pie Music Factory has been able to buy the freehold of Ramsgate youth centre. This was partly thanks to a grant of 535,000 from Labour's Pride in Place strategy, which aims to put significant investment into deprived communities across the country."

"Knowing our future in the building is secure fills us with hope and relief, said Pie's chief executive, Zoe Carassik. We are deeply grateful to the Pride in Place programme and everyone who has helped us. However, she said that the government's Youth Matters national strategy, which it announced at the end of last year, needed to come with real investment and not just words to stop this happening elsewhere. We should never have had to campaign to save Ramsgate youth centre the last dedicated youth centre in the area in the first place, she said. This must not happen again. Youth provision should not depend on charities like us alone."

The last remaining youth centre in one of England's most deprived coastal areas, in Ramsgate, faced auction by Kent county council but has been saved after Pie Factory Music purchased the freehold following a campaign that began in September 2024. An independent report estimated the centre saves the council more than 500,000 a year through reductions in mental health, youth justice and social care costs. The centre provides social space for eight- to 25-year-olds and services including counselling, employment advice, life-skills sessions, help for young refugees, and creative and music projects. The purchase was aided by a 535,000 grant from Labour's Pride in Place programme. Pie Factory Music's chief executive called for statutory protections and real investment for youth services beyond reliance on charities.

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