£4.7 Million For Luton Youth Facility

27 April 2011, 15:30 | Updated: 27 April 2011, 15:33

The Department for Education (DfE) has approved capital funding of £4.7million for TOKKO, Luton’s proposed largest youth facility which has been designed and inspired by its young people.

TOKKO will offer a one-stop information point for young people in a five-storey building in Gordon Street, on the site of a former advice centre donated by Luton Borough Council.

Planning permission was granted in April and approves the plans for the centre to provide a wide range of services and activities including:

- flexible multi-use studios
- climbing wall
- performance spaces
- training and counselling rooms
- media room
- games and IT area
- fashion and beauty studio
- rooftop zen garden
- and a cafe open to the public.

TOKKO was given final funding approval by the DfE earlier this month, and now demolition work on the site could begin as early as July 2011.

Everton Blake, Executive Director of Voluntary Action Luton, which is leading the project, said: “This is excellent news. TOKKO is really taking off and the young people of Luton will finally get a facility that not only meets their needs but one which they will also have a hand in managing.”

A Council spokesperson said: “TOKKO will be a much-needed youth facility for our young people and one which they all deserve, and we are pleased that funding support is continuing.”