A NEW café has been launched in Winchester in a bid to provide a charity with much-needed funding.

YMCA, based at St John’s House in the Broadway, launched its renovated public-only cafe to help give a financial boost to its services.

The previous cafe was split into two separate areas – one for the public and the other for the youth clubs.

But the charity is now set on refurbishing other rooms throughout the building in order to provide more essential services.

Marketing assistant Rowena Spinks said: “The previous cafe was split between the public and the youth clubs that were here but now it’s just meant for the public.

“We have temporarily stopped doing youth clubs until we can refurbish the areas. We’re still providing vital services helping young people but the concept is that the cafe will be a portal to bring people in the door and therefore money to keep us going.

“We’re hoping to launch the new youth clubs and a number of other events in September. This new project will do so much for us.”

Though the plans have not yet been confirmed it is hoped refurbishments will take place in the conference room, staff kitchen, a room for older youth clubs, and the large reception hall which can be rented out for special occasions or used to host bigger youth groups.