Award-winning ‘pop-up youth club’ comes to Gainsborough this summer
A vibrant pop-up youth club is coming to Gainsborough this summer, giving young people across the district access to a range of free activities, creative workshops and informal hangout spaces.
The Zone will be in Gainsborough for four days between Wednesday, August 19, and Saturday, August 22, transforming the Market Place into a colourful, custom-built environment designed specifically for teenagers in Gainsborough and the surrounding areas connect, create and feel seen, for 11 to 18-year-olds.
The Zone combines the best bits of youth space, with gaming, table tennis, music and places to hang out.
Expect everything from street art and silent discos to live performances, crafts, creative workshops and big summer energy. The sessions will be led by artist, youth specialists and the events team at West Lindsey District Council.
The project has been developed by Zest, working with fast architecture specialists, AirClad, and is brought to Gainsborough by West Lindsey District Council.
Since launching in 2024, The Zone has welcomed more than 3,300 visits from young people across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, with thousands of hours of free creative activity delivered in public spaces.
Coun Stephen Bunney, chair of Thriving Place Committee, said: “The Zone is an incredible facility that will give young people a wide variety of activities this summer.
“It is free to access and offers young people from Gainsborough and the surrounding areas a safe space where they can connect with others and have the confidence to express themselves.
“We know how important it is for young people to have a place they can call their own. This pop-up facility does just that and opens the door to cultural activities that they may not otherwise have access to.”
The Zone was originally developed and build with support from Arts Council England, Lincolnshire Co-op’s Community Champions Fund and Lincoln Arts Centre.
Jessica McNiell, events officer at West Lindsey District Council, said: “I am thrilled that Zest are bringing their unique touring youth facility to the heart of Gainsborough.
“What’s special about The Zone is that it gives youth people and teenagers in our area a welcoming and positive space where they can go, socialise, have fun and be themselves.”
Toby Ealden, artistic director & CEO of Zest, said young people tell them they want somewhere that “isn’t school home, isn’t home but still feels like it belongs to them.”
He said: “In communities across the country, young people are telling us they’re missing places they can just be. The Zone creates that third space: somewhere they can feel welcome, try something new, meet people, or simply hang out without pressure or expectation.”
The Zone kicks off in Gainsborough Market Place from Wednesday, August 19, and runs for four days before ending on Saturday, August 22. It will open at 11am and close at 5pm on each day. A full programme of events will be announced via getinthezone.uk.