In early 2014, the restructuring and funding cuts within Devon County Council led to a reduction of the Devon Youth Service provision. As a direct consequence of this, DCC closed both Honiton Youth Club and the Youth Centre at the bottom of School Lane.

Based on the premise that the community of Honiton deserve nothing less than the quality of service that was provided before, Honiton Community College took on the Tenancy at Will of the building to keep it open whilst a rescue plan was put in place. Gary Wills, the Director of Finance and Resources at the school, took the lead on this in September 2014. At this point, the building was renamed the Community Use Building (CUB). Matt Burrell took over as the Director of Finance and Resources the following year. He maintained the tenancy of the building in the school’s name to ensure its continued availability to the community and user groups. The understanding was that the CUB was being held ‘temporarily’ until its future ownership was determined.  

Honiton Youth Club became a separate official charity and re-opened in 2015.  Initially, in the absence of other interest, it looked like the youth club might have to prepare to hold the freehold of the building. Then, at different stages in the ensuing five years, both Honiton Community College and Honiton Town Council looked at taking over the freehold of the building. 

Things were not progressing swiftly, except for the cold fact that the building remained on DCC's Asset Disposal Register. It could have been sold on the open market and lost to the community without the school’s important intervention. Eventually, in late 2018, DCC awarded Honiton Town Council the opportunity for the Community Asset Transfer; offering the freehold of the CUB for the discounted price of £1. The bidding process was co led by our now chair Mike Jones. This and further information about this can be found on the Honiton Town Council website.

In February 2019, a group of people came together and made a proposal to Honiton Town Council to help save the building. The Town Councilors unanimously agreed to the idea. It is one of the few things that have consistently united this council. The initial group comprised: Matt Burrell of HCC; Representatives of the User Groups, Zoe Allars of the 7 to 9 Club; Di Virgin of Honiton Parent & Toddler Group; Chris Doran of
 Honiton Health Matters; Joanna O’Donoghue of Honiton Youth Club and Vernon Whitlock (former Mayor and founder of the Beehive) of Honiton Shedders.

In August 2020 Mike Jones joined as a trustee and became chair, we achieved charitable status on the 1st of December 2020, Jo O’Donoghue resign as a trustee in July 21. We now have 7 full trustees and one volunteer. On August the 27th 2021 we signed for the building and took over the freehold with a covenant it remains for community use.

July 2021