THE West Way development in Botley will welcome the newest addition to the temporary shopping area with a new youth café set to open its doors.

Branches Youth Café will open on Wednesday, August 1 and is located on the first floor of Elms Court .

It will provide support and a place to socialise for local young people.

Botley Development Company (BDC) has created the temporary area in the Grant Thornton Building and Elms Court to house a number of retailers and services while the shopping arcade and the surrounding area is demolished.

The 1960s site is being replaced with new shops, a hotel and student accommodation in the multi-million pound scheme.

Branches has received assistance in the form of fit out works from SDC (construction partner for the West Way redevelopment) to their café, as well as grants from the Vale of White Horse District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, and North Hinksey Parish Council.

The café will be open to the general public during the day and provide a safe place for young people to socialise and learn skills after school and in the evenings.

Branches Young People’s Support Service is a Community Interest Company and so any profits made will be reinvested for the benefit of Botley’s young people.

The café, which has been granted a rent-free lease for 18 months by BDC, is offering taster sessions during a soft launch planned between 10am and 3 pm on July 30 and 31.