Llandudno youth club to close after series of incidents

Oct 29 2009

Ty Hapus

WHEN it opened with a fanfare of publicity in 2005 it was proclaimed that Ty Hapus Community Centre in Llandudno would focus on providing activities for the young people of Llandudno’s Tudno and Mostyn wards to encourage them to keep off the streets.

But a number of incidents over the past twelve months which have seen equipment damaged, has led to a youth club run by Conwy County Council’s youth services department being banned from the premises until further notice.

The decision has angered parents who say that on October 12 between 40 and 50 youngsters turned up for the usual youth club session to find the premises closed.

"They said it was because kids had been rattling the vending machine, but they shouldn’t have just shut them out like that. They were left standing outside with nowhere to go," said an angry dad who didn’t want to be named.

But the Tudno Community Association which runs Ty Hapus in the former Ysgol John Bright sports hall in Ffordd Penrhyn, and is dependent on fund raising and grants to keep it open, say they had no choice but to ban the youth club.

"Tudno Community Association took the decision not to open the building up to the Youth Service until they can meet with them on the 2nd of November to discuss the way forward.

"This decision was not taken lightly and was not based on just one incident, it was based on a series of incidents over the past 12 months.

"Tudno Community Association have no further comment to make at this time," says a statement.

Tudno ward councillor Ronnie Hughes said he was aware that there had been problems with youngsters attending the centre and that the community association had imposed a temporary ban on the youth club.

"It’s true to say there has been a succession of problems, but I’m confident they can be sorted out at the meeting next week," he commented.

A Conwy County Council spokeswoman said: "Last week and this week, Youth Services activities have been held at other venues. We will be meeting with Tudno Community Association on Monday to discuss the matter further."