SILLOTH is about to get its youth club back after being closed for more than a year.

Since its closure in October 2018 youngsters in the town have been left without a facility to call their own.

But now the building, off Wigton Road, is undergoing refurbishments, with plans for it to be back up and running by Wednesday January 29.

Christine Ray, 44, who has run the club for nearly 12 years, explained: “We’ve been shut for a while now.

“We’re now doing some refurbishments of the building, including painting, new carpets and changing things.

“The club has also been lucky enough to have a sofa donated by Silloth & District Pensioners Association. We are also looking at getting some new sofas from the British Red Cross.”

Committee members hope the club will be ready to open again by January 29 for 11- to 18-year-olds.

Unfortunately it was forced to close last year due to decreased numbers and family illness.

“You cannot do it on your own,” added Christine. “Myself and George took it over nearly 12 years ago.”

The decision was made in July this year to reopen, but before this could happen Christine knew she needed to get more people on board who would volunteer weekly.

In November a number of Silloth residents decided to get involved and joined the committee.

This is when the refurbishment work began in earnest.

Christine added: “I will be here every week.

“A lot of the secondary school children were asking when it would reopen again.

“We’ll have everything ready and in place for the opening.”

The newly-refurbished premises will have an Xbox, a PlayStation with games (which they already have), a dartboard, snooker table, board games and Bluetooth radio.

In summer there will be more opportunities for outdoor activities such as rounders.

Christine continued: “Once a month we’ll go the ice cream shop.

“We only charge 50p entry fee and try to keep the cost as low as possible.

“Some members suggested putting the fee up to £1 but I wanted to keep it low.

“You have to think about the families and those that don’t have much money.”

The youth club relaunched again in 2009 after being closed for six years.

Cumbria County Council along with PCSO Lindsey Noblet worked to reform the club in 2009. A committee was then formed which included Christine, with funds passed on from the old committee to help with refurbishments.

The club proved popular in 2009 with 86 members and it is hoped it will be equally as popular in its new incarnation.