Young people between 13 years & 25 years of age have been strategically involved in the development of the concept, culture and content of The Norwich Youth Venue. A youth forum of 42 remarkable and committed young people represent young people from all parts of Norfolk meet regularly to advise the Lind Trust, the Operational Team and the Advisory Group and in particular to express the specific views of the youth culture.

Following the announcing of The Norwich Youth Venue project in April 2003, a Norfolk wide competition amongst young people invited entries suggesting a name for the venue. Following return of hundreds of completed entry forms Norwich Interactive Marketing Consultants Soup Limited were asked give advice as to the marketability of the many clever and varied suggestions received.

Three were identified as excellent - BANQ, ESCAPE and OPEN. The winner OPEN was ultimately chosen by The Norwich Youth Venue Advisory Group. In the event two winning entries were submitted by Michael Webb (aged 12 years) and Adam Crooks (aged 13 years). Michael and Adam therefore shared the first prize of £250 kindly sponsored by The SNAP Community Partnership. Both are to meet the Education Secretary Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP shortly who was very impressed by their entry and suggestion.

The directors of Soup Limited most kindly offered to donate to the project their professional time and expertise in developing the OPEN brand and have produced a first class document that explains the OPEN name and Brand mark ideas. Subsequently all who have been shown the OPEN branding and concept have acknowledged it as being of particularly high standard.

OPEN has many positive associations - we can be welcomed with open arms, someone can be honest and OPEN with us, or we can OPEN a doorway to a new or more exciting opportunity.

OPEN is a direct opposite of 'closed' which signifies many of the problems that youth culture face closed minds, closed doors, closed attitudes, closed opportunities - a problem that has developed into a closed circle that a young person can see no way out.

The OPEN name symbolises an 'OPEN space' in the heart of the city of Norwich, a sanctuary, an OPEN but safe haven, a venue open to all young people that is welcoming, non judgemental, relaxed, friendly, accessible, approachable and understanding.

OPEN to all, The Norwich Youth Venue will be all embracing, non exclusive, non discriminary. One day the venue will be OPEN 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. Hence the web address: www.OPEN247.org.uk.