A BAKE Off star is set to celebrate the opening of a new cafe in Taunton Library.

Following the success of their store, Young Somerset are joining forces with Somerset Council to open the Bold & Brave cafe, designed to help young people gain work experience and essential life skills.

The cafe, located in a disused community space in the library, will open on June 7. 

On June 17, an event will be held to celebrate the launch of the new site. Val Stones, a Bake Off star and former headteacher, will join residents, cafe staff and partners in their celebrations.

The Bold & Brave store, which is located on 14 Riverside Place, has already offered 30 young people work experience, giving them the confidence and experience they need. Not only this, but budding entrepreneurs have been encouraged to sell their products and begin businesses of their own.

The store started off as a pop-up shop before becoming a permanent fixture. The charity prides itself on being the largest of its kind in the region. As explained on the Young Somerset website, the organisation delivers services that are aligned to statutory provision and that enrich and support young people's lives.

This includes young peoples' personal, social, economic or educational development.

Young Somerset have been working with young people since 1997, meaning that the charity has worked towards making Somerset a better place for the next generation for 26 years.

Nik Harwood, chief executive of Young Somerset, said: “I am delighted that we are reopening the café in Taunton Library under the remit of our Bold & Brave Enterprise work.

"This will both serve a community need and support young people to gain core skills – confidence, communication, teamwork – as well as specific employability skills related to customer service and hospitality. This is an exciting partnership with Somerset Council which will develop into the future.”

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, lead member for Communities, Housing and Culture, said: “This is an imaginative and creative way of supporting Somerset’s young people learn new skills while improving the offer for library users.
 
“It is great that this disused area at Taunton Library is being brought back into a truly community space that everyone can enjoy.”