Mission to help kids in one of UK's most deprived areas

A mission to reopen a youth centre in one of the UK's most deprived postcodes has been launched.

Eagle House in Knowle West, Bristol, closed to children more than a decade ago. But residents association Newquay Road Multi-Agency Group has now said it will pay for building's refurbishment and running costs.

Carol Casey, from the group, said: "We're not asking for any money. Just give us the keys and we'll run it."

Bristol City Council leader Tony Dyer said analysis of potential options is needed before any "proposals are progressed".

Eagle House youth club closed in 2014 as part of wider cuts to youth services across Bristol. The building was subsequently used by an evangelical church, whose lease expired last week.

It stands close to where two teenagers, Max Dixon and Mason Rist, were fatally stabbed in 2024.

In the aftermath, Bristol's Green Party promised it would convert the building back to a youth club within six months if it won control in the elections.

Now, the council's estate strategy board, comprised of Bristol Green party's leader Dyer and several officials, is meeting to discuss expert advice around the building.

Government data suggests the postcode where Eagle House sits is in the top 0.5% most deprived in the country.

Margaret Rawlins, a former youth worker and chair of the Eagle House social club, said: "You've got kids out there who've dropped out of school, we know them.

"You can see they're going to go the wrong way. They're out there and nobody's working with them."

Councillor Rob Logan said the community partnership is so strong that all the council needs to do is support the partnership and "get out the way".

The residents, who are all volunteers, say they're willing to put a business plan together, but are "afraid" it will not be enough.

Casey added: "Put in writing to us you will give us a lease for the building, and we will put the business plan together or hand it back to the community and we'll get the funding ourselves."

A new 224 Youth Zone is being built on the Knowle West/Hartcliffe border, which leaders have said is quite controversial because of postcode-based rivalries.

"You've got some young people on this estate are not going to go there," Rawlins said.

"This [Eagle House] is the heart of Knowle West and this is where our problem is.

"We're trying to get the kids off the streets, stop the anti-social behaviour, stop the knife crime," she added.

Dyer said the council would continue to engage with the local community.

"As soon as we're able to offer clarity on next steps following the expiry of the current lease," Dyer added.