Cheltenham's Youth Cafe has returned to Smokey Joe's in the town centre, giving young people a free weekly place to meet, take part in activities and access informal support.
The renewed programme begins on Thursday 3 September 2026 and will run every Thursday from 3.30pm until 6pm, including during the October half term. Young people can drop in and out of the sessions rather than having to stay for the full afternoon.
Free activities, games and refreshments
Cheltenham Borough Council says visitors will be able to use Smokey Joe's vintage arcade games free of charge and take part in activities delivered by local organisations. Each young person attending will also receive a food and drink voucher on entry.
Some sessions are expected to include activities involving organisations such as The Music Works and Escape Rooms Cheltenham. Youth work support will be provided by Springbank Community Group CiC and The Rock Cheltenham.
Why the Youth Cafe was created
The project follows a seven-week pilot launched in February 2026 after young people told local organisations that Cheltenham town centre lacked an affordable, dedicated place where they could safely spend time together.
That earlier pilot ran at Smokey Joe's on Bennington Street and brought together youth workers, community organisations and neighbourhood policing. At the time, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner said almost £10,000 had been invested in the pilot as part of preventative work focused on young people in the town centre.
Additional funding for a second daytime session
The returning Youth Cafe is being funded by Cheltenham Borough Council, with additional support secured from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire. The council says the extra funding will support a second daytime youth cafe session, creating space for partner agencies to work with young people they already support.
The programme forms part of No Child Left Behind, Cheltenham's partnership approach to improving outcomes for children and young people. The council said the response to the first pilot showed demand for a safe and welcoming town-centre space.
Severn News reviewed Cheltenham Borough Council's 2 September announcement alongside the council's February 2026 pilot information to provide the timetable, funding background and reason the project was established.