useful info for parents
OPEN is a safe drug and alcohol free city centre venue created exclusively for young people.
The new £12m venue is owned and run by The OPEN Youth Trust, a registered charity with a history of providing positive support to young people in Norwich and Norfolk since 2004 through projects including OPEN Road and the award winning SOS Bus.
As well as providing free access to comfortable and vibrant spaces for young people, the venue offers state of the art training and leisure facilities, a growing programme of activities and events and easy access to information on health issues, careers, training and personal development, provided by a range of voluntary and statutory agencies.
For more information on venue facilities including availability, costs and opening hours, visit What can I do there?
And if you work with young people, find out more information about hiring the venue or get in touch to request a tour of OPEN. We'd be keen to meet you to discuss how we may be able to work together for the benefit of young people in Norfolk.
For a summary of the The OPEN Youth Trust and all associated projects download our Stakeholder report.
Important Information
Opening Hours
OPEN's main reception area is available for general information, ticket booking, the ability to book sessions in the dance studio, on the climbing wall as well as providing access to youth agencies including Connexions, The Matthew Project and the Princes Trust.
Opening hours are:
We are currently closed for open access to the building, however pre-booked and ticketed events & activities such as Snap events, Climbing and Dance Sessions are still running as usual.
- Monday - Saturday 9am-10pm
- Sunday 10am-9pm
Security
To ensure a safe and secure environment OPEN is staffed by an experienced and welcoming team of staff, as well as being a friendly point of contact for all venue users they also have responsibility for monitoring the CCTV and regularly touring the venue.
All OPEN and partner organisation staff have completed an enhanced level Criminal Record's Bureau (CRB) check, this helps to ensure that we know the history and track record of any of the team working within the venue. The Trust also works in close collaboration with Norfolk Constabulary for many of its events and activities helping to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime committed by and against young people in Norwich and Norfolk.
Transport
OPEN is based in the heart of Norwich City Centre just 5 minutes walk from Norwich Train Station, and a large number of city centre bus stops.
Dropping Off/Parking
Young people can be dropped off just outside the main entrance to the venue, at the top of London Street where it meets Bank Plain.
For those parents/guardians that require short or long term parking after dropping off a young person, there are a number of pay and display car parks within minutes of OPEN. The nearest car parks are Castle Mall Shopping Centre and St Andrews.
For more information on venue location, please visit the contact us page.
Food and drink
The venue is equipped with vending machines containing drinks and snacks. From early 2010 the venue will also feature a cafe serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, snacks and hot food. All food and drink will be priced with young people in mind, and can be paid for by cash or credit/debit card.
First Aid
The venue will be covered by First Aid at all times during opening hours, the qualified first aider(s) can be requested by alerting any OPEN team member or attending the Box Office.
Public Telephones
There are no public telephones within the venue but we do have telephone lines in case of emergency. To access these, young people should go the venue Box Office where our staff will provide assistance.
Emergency Contact
In case of emergency it would be helpful if we were able to contact you. When you are near the venue why not pop into the main Box Office and register your contact details with the team.
Making OPEN better
If you have any thoughts, ideas or random brain waves that could make OPEN better for young people it would be great if you can contact us and let us know them.
Any of your questions not covered here? Please drop us a line and we'll get back to you by email.
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