Supporting the Onchan Community
For over two decades, Kenyon's Café has been more than just a building—it's been a sanctuary, a second home, a place where young people belong, grow, and feel supported in the heart of Onchan.
A Mission
For over two decades, Kenyon's Café has been more than just a building—it's been a sanctuary, a second home, a place where young people belong, grow, and feel supported in the heart of Onchan.
From our origins in a historic bank building to our current home at the Onchan Hub, every chapter has been written by the dedication of volunteers, supporters, and the young people we serve.
Our Challenges
The challenges we faced and how community support helped us overcome them
The Challenge
Attendances at Kenyon's jumped sharply around June 2024 and kept climbing. Our already busy sessions became over-subscribed. The facility simply wasn't big enough to meet the need, and the community deserved better. We began working on a propsal to expand, but what followed has been an exhausting, drawn-out process that continues to this day.
Where We Stand Today
Young people have attended meetings in front of commissioners to make the case for more space. Trustees have worked tirelessly on proposals. We have two board approvals — and we are still waiting for a planning application to be submitted.
Every week of delay means more young people unable to comfortably access the support they need. We remain hopeful, but our patience — and our capacity — is stretched to its limits.
A Sudden Surge in Demand
Attendances at Kenyon's jumped significantly and continued to rise week on week. Sessions grew overcrowded; the facility's capacity became a hard ceiling. It was clear that without more space, young people would be turned away.
Young People Attend Meeting with Commissioners
Trustees presented an expansion proposal to Onchan Commissioners at a private meeting. In a powerful show of support, young people attended the meeting themselves to hear what their community leaders have to say and hope to gain their support.
Onchan Commissioners Back the Extension
After months of deliberation, Onchan Commissioners agreed to support the expansion — including removing an internal wall, and forming a new corridor. The project was estimated at £25,000 with a commitment to fund the works from their reserves. It felt like the breakthrough we had been waiting for.
Manx Radio — March 2025 "Kenyon's youth club given support to expand premises in Onchan"Structural Drawings Produced
Structural drawings were completed — a positive, tangible step forward. The project was beginning to take shape on paper, and momentum felt within reach.
The Goalposts Move — Back to Square One
Onchan Commissioners informed us that the existing plan needed to change — a different design and increased cost, requiring the project to go back to the board for approval again.
After the hard-won approval in March, being sent back to the start was deeply demoralising. Young people are still waiting. Capacity is still the same. The clock kept ticking.
Board Approves New Plan & Extra Funding
The revised plan was brought back before the board and — thankfully — approved once more, this time with additional funding secured for the updated design. A relief, but a frustrating déjà vu for everyone who had already been through this process once before.
Plan Agreed — TOPO Survey Outstanding
With the revised plan agreed, the project moved to the next step: a topographical survey of the site. We were told this was needed before a planning application could be submitted.
TOPO Survey Received — Still Waiting on Commissioners
The topographical survey was confirmed as received — another box ticked. But the planning application has still not been submitted. We are now waiting for Onchan Commissioners to finalise the drawings and take the next step.
Every week of delay is another week young people are impacted. The survey is done. The funding is approved. We are ready. We are waiting.
Still Waiting. Still No Planning Application.
As of today, no further progress has been made. The planning application has not been submitted. Young people continue to attend an over-streched facility every week while the process grinds on in the background.
The Challenge
When Onchan District Commissioners decided to sell our building, we faced an uncertain future. Operating on a month-by-month basis from July 2016, we explored every option: purchasing the freehold, finding alternative premises, or working with the Commissioners on modified plans.
Despite positive meetings and detailed proposals, we were given formal notice to vacate. The doors at 46 Main Road closed on 17 November 2017.
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View our open letter
Community Response
The community rallied. Young people who attended our sessions wrote heartfelt letters. Volunteers stepped forward. Fundraising efforts began in earnest, with a goal of £100,000 to secure our future.
We explored partnerships with charitable trusts, local businesses, and individuals who believed in our mission.
Outcome (2018)
Through persistence and community support, we reached an agreement with Onchan District Commissioners to operate from the Onchan Hub. Dedicated volunteers—alongside support from Celton Manx, Sure, Lloyds Bank, Co-op Group, Youth Service, and Friends of St Ninian's High School—transformed the new space.
On 23 February 2018, Kenyon's reopened. The journey wasn't easy, but it proved that when a community comes together, amazing things happen.
Our Journey Through Time
Key moments that shaped Kenyon's into what it is today
The Building's Origin
Our original home began as the first bank in Onchan—The Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank. The building served the community's financial needs until 1935, when the bank relocated and later merged with Barclays.
Bucher's Shop
Frank Turner now occupied the property as a retail outlet and then later occupied by ‘Kenyon the butcher’ with the shop commonly known as Kenyon's.
A Vision Takes Shape
Peter Karran MHK identified the need for a dedicated facility for young people in Onchan; after purchasing the historic building he enlisted friends to transform it into a welcoming space for youth.
Kenyon's Opens Its Doors
In February 2001, Kenyon's Café officially opened as a drop-in centre. Initially staffed entirely by community volunteers, the café quickly became a vital resource, later partnering with the Department of Education and Children's Youth Service for professional youth work support.
Community Investment
Recognising Kenyon's positive impact, Onchan District Commissioners purchased the building, with a commitment to safeguard the facility—issuing the charity a seven-year lease at a peppercorn rate.
The First Challenge
Onchan District Commissioners announced their decision to dispose of the property. Young people wrote passionately to the Commissioners, expressing their concerns. The only path forward was for the charity to purchase the freehold—a daunting financial challenge.
Closing One Door
On 17 November 2017, Kenyon's closed its doors at 46 Main Road for the final time. It was a heartbreaking moment, but the team refused to give up on Onchan's young people. After sharing our story, the community rallied to support our cause and a solution to continue our work with young people.
A New Beginning
Early 2018 brought hope. The charity reached an agreement to operate within the Onchan Hub. Dedicated volunteers clocked hundreds of hours transforming the space into a youth-friendly environment. On 23 February, Kenyon's reopened its doors.
Expansion & Growth
Renewing the license with Onchan District Commissioners, the charity secured a small extension by incorporating an unused storeroom. Despite a rent increase, this expansion allowed Kenyon's to feel a little more comfortable.
Planning for Growth
In November 2024, recognising a desperate need to expand the facility to accommodate more young people and keep them off the streets, the charity presented an ambitious plan to the Onchan District Commissioners Board. Three months later, funding approval was granted and planning began in earnest.
Refined Vision & Progress
The scope of extension has evolved with a new and improved plan. Kenyon's is now waiting on Onchan District Commissioners to finalise drawings and submit for planning approval. We're hopeful this critical phase will be completed soon to ensure the project stays on budget and timeline.
Thriving & Serving
Kenyon's continues to thrive, supporting over 2,100 young people annually with 820+ hours of quality youth work. The journey continues, built on the foundation of community support and unwavering commitment to young people.
Be Part of Our Continuing Story
Our journey continues, and we need your support to write the next chapter. Help us ensure Kenyon's remains a safe haven for generations to come.