home links bulletin board about what now? make a comment
caff Asks...
hi i was thinking about starting up a business. something for the young people in my area coz theyv got nothing to do. i was thinking of opening a cafe with computers and a pool table and that sort of thing. i have got money when i turn 21 but i wanted to do it soon after i finish college in may this year. just wondering if youve got any information about what i would need in qualifications to do this i have 11 gcses at B, nvq level 1 in catering, basic food hygiene and a btec national diploma in media but would i need more qualifications if i was to run a cafe selling hot food ?? also do you know if i could possibly get any sort of funding to do this ?? i really want to make this happen because the youths in my area have nothing to do and just get into trouble.
thanks
What we suggest...
Hi, and many thanks for your enquiry. We understand that you are thinking of setting up a 'youth café' for the young people in your area and are wondering about what qualifications you will need and how to go about funding.
Firstly it is nice that you are thinking about ideas to keep the young people in your area occupied. A 'youth café' is intended to be a place where young people can have a laugh, play music, play pool, surf the net, watch T.V. , play on the play station / Wii, chill out with friends, learn new skills like cooking, budgeting and so on.
However there are a lot of things to think about when setting up a business. For instance if your business is young people based / focused you need to think of how you can make a profit. Young people don't have much money and this has been heightened by the credit crunch. Also, although it is an excellent idea in trying to encourage young people to get off the street into a communal building, the local people around your cafe may still be apprehensive towards this idea. They may think that it may disrupt their local area in terms of noise, drugs, and violence. You need to get both the young people and the local community on your side for it to work successfully. Your qualification in media may be useful here, if you can get the local media on your side from the beginning, things may be a lot easier for you.
We are not trying to deflate you in any way and hope you are successful in starting your business. So here are things to think about when starting your own business.
The Prince's Trust offer community cash awards which are grants to help you set up a project that will benefit your community. There is funding of up to £1,000 for 14-16 year olds and a funding of up to £5,000 for those aged 16-25 like yourself.
The eligibility for the projects is:
- Be run and managed by people between the ages of 14 and 25
- Clearly benefit the local community
- Benefit the people running the project;
- Be a new or developing project.
It is not for:
- Formal groups or organisations
- Expeditions or overseas travel
- Fundraising activities for charity
- Trips and outings, unless they have educational value
You apply via the online form at www.princes-trust.org.uk or call 0800 842 842
You could also ask at your local council:
Kirkham Town Council
The Community Centre
Mill Street
Kirkham
PR4 2AN
info@kirkhamtowncouncil.co.uk
Tel: 01772 682775
Another place to enquire is your bank. Your proposal / plan would have to be detailed and show where you would be making a profit and how it will work, showing a good business idea and determination to succeed. It is possible that they may help you but please bear in mind that due to the credit crunch and economic situation more and more banks are not willing to lend at the moment.
One of the best sources of advice in all aspects of setting up in business is Business Link. You will be able to talk through your ideas, have help preparing a business plan and advice about funding, as well as ongoing support when you are up and running. You can find out more at:
Business Link Northwest
City Office Park
Bluebell Way
Preston
Lancs
PR2 5PZ
Tel: 08450066888
www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest
Or email - info@businesslinknw.co.uk
Another useful business resource is Shell LiveWIRE which encourages young people aged 16-30 and those whom they turn to for advice and guidance, to see starting a business as a desirable and viable career option. By contacting the national telephone hotline on 0845 757 3252. enquirers can receive one to one advice on starting up and running a business from a local business adviser. Alternatively by visiting the shell LiveWIRE web site at www.shell-livewire.org enquirers can request their free Essential Business Kit, take a look at a number of different business ideas, or test themselves to see if they have what it takes to run their own business.
Other issues regarding your 'Youth cafe' to think about are:
How to make a profit - like we said earlier young people don't have much money so you need to think about what kind of things you can make a profit from.
Location - you need somewhere that is accessible for the young people but that doesn't interfere too much with the local community. A building that is big enough for what you want but not too big that it costs more to heat the place.
Equipment - What kind of equipment you need in terms of cooking equipment and equipment to keep the young people entertained i.e. pool table, music, seating area, computers and so on.
Funding - as discussed earlier best to get a business plan together to show potential backers.
You might find the Prince's Trust the best place to go for funding to set your business up from the start, although you will need start up than they are able to offer.
What you are describing to us is within the Young People's Service remit, perhaps you would like to talk through your ideas with your local service. Their contact details are:
Young People's Service
The Fylde District Office
Chapel Walks
KIRKHAM
PR4 2TA
Tel: (01772) 682548
Fax: (01772) 681519
www.lancsycs.org
Have you visited any youth centres in your area for ideas on how they are run but also what the young people want to do there? If not it would be a good start. There is youth club provision at Chapel Walks and also at Mill Street, please ring 01772 682548 for details of opening times.
We would reckon that experience with working with young people is an essential requirement that you will need to convince funders that you are up to the task you have set yourself, so if you think you need more experience perhaps you could volunteer in the youth centre for a while.
In terms of qualifications needed, your NVQ level 1 in catering and the Basic Food Hygiene is definitely useful. Your Btec is to helpful to a certain extent as well as hopefully you will have learnt how to attract a new audience and promote services. Also a good range of GCSE's always help.
Other courses to consider are:
- Health and Safety
- Hospitality
- Business Studies
- Management
- Catering
- First Aid
Some can be done at degree level and others at a lower level.
If you want to look further at the courses available in your area we have listed them below:
Myerscough College,
Bilsborrow,
Preston,
Lancashire
PR3 0RY
Tel: Course Enquiries 01995 642222
Email: enquiries@myerscough.ac.uk
Possible useful short courses are - First Aid, Food and Drink, Health and Safety
Further Education courses - Business Studies
Preston College
Course Enquiries - 01772 225522
Courses are Business and Management, Catering Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, all at a variety of levels
University of Central Lancashire
Preston,
Lancashire,
PR1 2HE
Tel: (0)1772 201 201
Courses are Business and Management, Food and Nutrition and Hospitality
Another good qualification would be youth work, which if you managed to get a job within the service you could train for whilst you work.
We hope we have answered your enquiry and wish you every success in your future project. Please come back to us if you require any further assistance. Let us know how you get on, we would like to know!
Best Wishes
Q2A
Expert advice and every precaution has been taken to ensure that the information on this page is trustworthy and reliable, but the publishers do not hold themselves responsible for any inaccuracy as information can go out of date very quickly. This page gives general guidance only and should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law. With regard to suggested weblinks given in this reply please note that Lancashire County Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
here's what i think about ...