Community cafe is officially opened in Portsmouth's Kingston Rec to offer job opportunities to young people

Fox Box Cafe in Fratton’s Kingston Rec has been officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Rob Wood, with the facility set to serve the community and families who use the refurbished play area.

The project has been put together by Portsmouth City Council in collaboration with Fratton Big Local, who have taken over the lease for the container installed by the council.

Cllr Wood said: ‘This is great because this is very much a combination of community working. I think it’s fantastic and it’s just what we need, to be working together - it’s very much about the community taking ownership.’

Run by social enterprise Cookhouse, Fox Box Cafe will offer three job opportunities for young people aged 16 to 24 to learn new skills and gain some experience.

Keith McAllister, who runs Cookhouse, said: ‘I think in the current climate after lockdown, with work for 16 to 24-year-olds there’s a lot of competition out there for places. For me, it’s about giving them opportunities.’

Father Bob White, chairman of Fratton Big Local, said: ‘It’s great to have such a resource for the local community to enable them to enjoy the space.

‘What’s exciting is it’s an employment opportunity for three young people. It’s getting an identity and it’s being well enjoyed.’

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The cafe, which is next to two public toilets, has been open for a week to serve visitors with speciality coffees, hot and cold sandwiches and more.

Kelsey Barnard, 17, is one of the young people employed at Fox Box and has been enjoying the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people.

Kelsey, from Southsea, said: ‘I thought it’s a great opportunity and a good way to start with my experience. I never thought I’d be using a coffee machine, I really enjoy it.’

Her colleague Josh Simmonds, 21, added: ‘I think the idea of young people doing this is a brilliant idea. It’s amazing because it gives us the opportunity to learn for ourselves, as some people don’t see us as able to take responsibility.’

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