The Foxton’s new youth and community centre in Avenham is on track for a summer opening after falling slightly behind schedule.

Work began in Spring last year after the old building dating back to the 1960s was demolished thanks to a £2.4 million funding grant from the government.

The soon-to-be Foxton chief executive, Cath Coffey, gave Blog Preston an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the new facility which was due to open in the Spring.

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Cath said: “Young people have been coming here for 56 years. We’ve had lots of generations of young people. It’s been a real part of the community and young people wanted to represent that and make sure it’s here for another 56 years.”

The new building has been designed in line with what young people of Preston wish to have, including a kitchen where beneficiaries can learn to prepare food, and take it home should they wish to.

The kitchen also has space to store food parcels to give to young people who are sofa surfers, as well as cooking excess food for them.

The Foxton will also include a brand-new gaming room, with sofas and TV’s being provided by Places and People, the largest social housing provider in the UK.

It gives young people a chance to play games, such as FIFA, to wind down and socialise with others in a safe space.

A balcony has also been implemented, to provide an outside space for activities such as yoga, dancing and as a space to look out our the city

The balcony features a window, to allow people to experience the same view if they are younger and not as tall, without having to climb on to the ledge.

To help with their studies, a room is going to be utilised as a work room, with users being given laptops to help them prepare for GCSE’s or A-Levels as they often don’t receive any exam help outside of school.

In order for everyone to access these rooms, which are located upstairs, a brand-new lift is being installed to ensure accessibility for all.

As well as these rooms, a multi-purpose hall is being constructed, which will host everything from pantomimes to community events.

Cath said: “For the whole community to come, it’s a real achievement for young people from this area to kind of create this building.

“They’ve been in it from day one, whether that’s the budget planning, whether that’s designing the space, whether that’s picking the colours, the door handles, everything has been designed by young people. That’s been a fantastic achievement for them. It’s really great for them to see.

“They’re so proud of it. And the younger ones coming through now who have been involved in this process knew it was coming and are really excited to get in.”

Along with this, some rooms in The Foxton have been sponsored by companies like Nationwide and Onward Homes as part of their Furnish Foxton appeal which remains ongoing to raise more than £60,000 to kit out the new building, with Shawn Sharpe also painting a mural inside which is being designed by the young people who will use the space.

This is part of a scheme that allows young people to have full creative control over their space, including the paint colour, which will be grey, so they can display their own artwork, and a red/purple colour in the bathrooms.

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Additional reporting by Zak Butt