MAJOR plans for a new youth hub in the town centre have taken another step forward.

The bottom floor of Braccan Walk car park will be converted into a youth centre complete with a range of teen-friendly spaces including three ‘breakout’ rooms and a living skills room.

Now Bracknell’s youngsters are one step closer to being able to use the centre.

READ MORE: This is what will be inside Bracknell's new youth centre

This comes after the council’s children, young people and learning boss, Dr Gareth Barnard, signed off on a works contract which will see a construction company get started on the scheme.

The company has not been disclosed as commercial details are being kept under wraps.

Sarah Gee, Assistant Director of Early Help and Communities, said: “Bracknell Forest Council has now selected a contractor for the work to create a new youth hub at the Braccan Walk site. As planned, the site will be ready for handover to the council in autumn 2020.

“Once the hub is available, we plan to use it for outdoor activities and outreach with young people.

"Depending on COVID-19 restrictions at the time of handover, we plan to work towards introducing indoor activities, with social distancing measures and a full risk assessment in place.

"As always, we will balance meeting the needs of young people with ensuring their safety and that of their families, as well as staff and volunteers working with them. 

“We are committed to continuing our support to children and young people, particularly during these challenging times for Bracknell Forest families.

"We are therefore actively encouraging the borough’s younger generation to get involved with shaping the youth activities available and we will continue to involve a range of young people in the layout and design of the Braccan Walk youth hub, as well as in the future running of the centre.”

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Initial figures estimated the cost of the youth centre transformation could come to £750,000.