AS PLANS progress over work to provide a youth caf� on Sidmouth s seafront, Sidmouth Youth Trust has been formally established and approved by the Charity Commission.

AS PLANS progress over work to provide a youth caf� on Sidmouth's seafront, Sidmouth Youth Trust has been formally established and approved by the Charity Commission.

The Trust will manage Giovanni Caf� when it is built and includes four young directors; one of whom being Dan Gigg, originator of the youth caf� project, and a management groups in the 13-19 age range.

During the past few months, the youth initiative has been busy preparing for the opening of the caf�, which will be sited at the western Esplanade shelter - site of the recent arson attack on deckchairs.

The idea for the caf� came from local teenagers who wanted somewhere close to the town to meet up with friends rather than hang around on the streets.

It will be owned and run by the young people, closely assisted by a voluntary adult team made up of a dedicated youth worker and support team, local business owners and members of the Rotary and Lions clubs.

Valuable help has been given by Sidmouth Town Council, which obtained permission to use the shelters for community use, and local Police Community Support Officers.

Currently work is being done on the centre section of shelters to provide a shower and toilets.

Designs for the caf� have been submitted and it is hoped it will open in September.

"There is no doubt that these plans, once executed, will add some real visual value to Sidmouth's lovely seafront," said Sarah Edwards, a Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce's representative from SYT.

Giovanni will be run as a members club and teenagers will receive training in health and safety and food handling to provide food and soft drinks on a non-profit-making basis.

It is expected to open each day during school holidays and at weekends, apart from Christmas.

Sidmouth Youth Trust will help manage the caf� and, more importantly, help provide training and motivation initiatives with a focus on health and fitness, creativity through music and art and help ensure young and old work together.

Sarah said: "The trust feels this project is extremely important for the future and development of Sidmouth's young people."

The trust would be interested to hear from anyone able to offer sponsorship or voluntary help. They can contact David Richards, secretary, at (01395) 578888.