Located in the Onchan Hub on School Road, the new look Kenyon’s Cafe features seating areas, a gaming zone, table football for friendly competitions, entertainment systems and a snack bar.
A spokesperson from the charity said: ‘The refurbishment programme has expanded the space within the facility, creating a more comfortable environment especially during popular drop-in sessions.
‘The facility now boasts modern furniture throughout and decorative LED lighting, adding a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere to the space.’
Kenyon’s Cafe is a registered charity which provides a facility for young people aged 11 to 18 where they can relax in a safe place, connect with friends and access advice and support where necessary.
The facility operates three evening drop-in sessions and a Saturday afternoon session each week (during the term-time) in addition to needs-based support sessions.
Martin Macfarlane, director at Kenyon’s Cafe, said: ‘We have desperately needed to expand the usable space for some time and I’m thrilled we’ve finally achieved this milestone.
‘I thank everyone involved, particularly our volunteers, young people, community partners and refurbishment sponsors – Manx Lottery Trust and Onchan District Commissioners.’
As part of the refurbishment programme, there is now a new capability for accepting card payments in the cafe’s canteen offering hot food, drinks and snacks.
Talking about this addition, Martin said: ‘Over the last 12 months we observed a rise in young people transitioning to digital card providers for their pocket money, moving away from traditional cash transactions. This presented a challenge to maintain an affordable pricing model while being accessible to all.
‘After encountering limitations with certain providers due to our Isle of Man location, we eventually implemented a cost-effective, low-minimum solution which, since September, has already processed in excess of 30 percent of our transactions.
‘This outcome highlights the importance of listening to the needs of young people and embracing technology.’