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North Side hut returning for festive season

The key to the hut at North Side on the Bridge has been returned to Bernie Coutu for one month.

Bernie Coutu has been given permission to use the little hut opposite the former HSBC bank on the Bridge for one month as a youth drop-in centre
Bernie Coutu has been given permission to use the little hut opposite the former HSBC bank on the Bridge for one month as a youth drop-in centre / Sophie Rabey/Guernsey Press

She had used the former police outpost as a safe space for young people for a year before the lease was handed back to the States.

She has obtained special permission from the Vale douzaine to use it for the festive season, and plans to use the building to provide hot drinks in exchange for a small donation, primarily for young people.

‘This is for kids of all ages and adults. They don’t have to hang around outside, they can get a coffee inside.

‘They can have their phones and do their stuff. It’s a real community thing,’ said Ms Coutu.

Ms Coutu had used the former police outpost as a safe space for young people for a year before the lease was handed back to the States
Ms Coutu had used the former police outpost as a safe space for young people for a year before the lease was handed back to the States / Sophie Rabey/Guernsey Press

Last year they had Father Christmas stop by the hut too.

She has received donations from the Vale community, including a large collection of soft toys.

She hopes that the hut can be open for three nights per week between 4pm and 7pm.

Ms Coutu is currently campaigning and setting up a petition on the Bridge and the neighbourhood watch community to be allowed continue using the space after December.

There is late-night shopping on the Bridge tonight with shops open until 9pm.

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