Following campaigning by local Labour councillors on the future of the 68 Centre in Heworth (see our previous news story here), the City of York Council have announced a public consultation on Friday August 28, encouraging local residents and organisations to have their say on the future of the venue.

The 68 Centre was originally built as a youth centre, but in recent years has become the home to Choose 2 Youth and a handful of community user groups. Now Choose 2 Youth are moving to a refurbished centre on Moor Lane, and other users have been relocated to other local venues after the 68 Centre was closed due to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The decision session will present options, setting out the process for consultation, the temporary use of the site and future options for the 68 Centre. Members of the public wishing to speak at the session have until 5pm on Wednesday August 26 to register their interest. To do so they should contact the council’s Democracy Officer, contact details to be found at the foot of the agenda page on the council website.

Heworth ward Labour councillor Anna Perrett said, “We welcome the community having a further say on the future of the building following ward councillors holding a public consultation session at the 68 Centre last year.  But the Lib Dem led council must commit to investing in the centre as it has with Moor Lane Youth Centre, in a Lib Dem ward, as the 68 Centre building is currently unsafe and not a realistic prospect for any community groups to occupy long term”.