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A GIANT spade has helped mark the start of construction work on Chorley’s new Youth Zone – ‘Inspire’ today as it takes a significant step closer to opening.

The £4.8m facility is scheduled to be completed by February 2018 with contractor HHSmith & Sons now underway with construction.

The new Youth Zone is to be built on Railway Street, in the centre of Chorley and will be a place where all of Chorley’s young people can reach their full potential, grow their dreams and achieve their goals. It will be a safe and supportive community for young people to belong and be themselves.

‘Inspire’ will offer a wide range of activities for young people aged between eight and 19, up to 25 for those with a disability, including; dance, sport, music, media, employability and mentoring. Inspire will cost young people just 50p per visit.

The young people of Chorley have played a significant part in the early developments of their Youth Zone, having already worked together to create the brand ‘Inspire’ and with construction work beginning the opportunity to have somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to is set to become a reality.

Chairman of Inspire Andrew Turner commented: “Chorley’s new Youth Zone, Inspire, will give all young people of Chorley somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to. As with any OnSide Youth Zone, the project will rapidly take shape and this occasion marked the start of what will be a fantastic project for the town. We are all hugely excited to celebrate this key milestone and we hope local businesses support this hugely worthwhile project.”

 The Leader of Chorley Council, Cllr Alistair Bradley said: “Inspire will offer a safe and inclusive environment for Chorley’s young people in an exciting, purpose-built facility. Providing services that improve young people’s lives and divert them away from getting into trouble in their local communities is our priority. Inspire will give young people the chance to try new sports, dance and arts, and support them to gain new skills and find employment.”

Chorley Youth Zone Ground Breaking Ceremony

The Youth Zone is being back by Chorley Council and Lancashire County Council, whilst The Queen’s Trust have recently donated £1m. Wigan Youth Zone’s Chairman Martin Ainscough has also donated £1m of capital funding support to the town’s young people.

Founder Patron support has been pledged by The Chorley Group with a number of other local businesses set to be announced. Becoming a Founder Patron of Inspire Youth Zone is a chance for the local businesses and philanthropists to create a legacy for the future of Chorley. Their support and endorsement of the project will serve to encourage others to invest in the future of the town’s young people.

For more information about how to get involved please contact Chief Executive, Janine Blythe on 01204 362128 or email CE.InspireYZ@onsideyouthzones.org.

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MATTHEW HIRST

Matt Hirst is the CEO of leading energy technology provider ESG with over 700 staff and operations in the USA, Canada and the UK. ESG’s UK headquarters are based in Chorley, Lancashire.

 

ESG empowers global leaders in energy to deliver on the future promise of energy through its SAAS solutions for Customer and Market Data Management and Smart Metering. Matt has a background in Sales and Marketing and led a MBO of UK company Utiligroup in 2014 before it was acquired by ESG in 2017 and has been with the business for 24 years. Matt won an EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2016 as well as being a judge in 2018 and in 2017 his team was awarded the UK Regional and National Mid Market Management Team of the Year awards by the BVCA. Matt holds a BSc (Hons) degree from The University of Salford and a MBA from Lancaster University.

Ryan powell

head of operations

Hi, I’m Ryan and I’m the Head of Operations at Inspire Youth Zone.

Email: ryan.powell@inspireyouthzone.org

Inspire Youth Zone