ENTERPRISING youngsters in Wedmore will be officially launching their computer cafe tonight (Thurs). Wedmore eSports Cafe is the brainchild of teenagers Alex Cook and Paul Foster.

ENTERPRISING youngsters in Wedmore will be officially launching their computer café tonight (Thurs).

Wedmore eSports Café is the brainchild of teenagers Alex Cook and Paul Foster.

The launch will take place at the George Hotel at 6pm with wine and food laid on for guests.

Alex, aged 18, of Wedmore, said: “Invites have gone out to staff at Kings of Wessex School, which is the school I went to, and youth workers from Somerset who have been a great help to us.

“The launch is an opportunity for parents to see what their kids get up to at the club.

“We play computer games but we also have a homework help session so I think parents will be impressed with that. At the end of the day the café is just a safe place for youngsters to go as there isn’t a lot on offer in the village.”

The café started life about four years ago as Wedmore Games. The group was supported by IT for the Terrified, which is a similar group aimed at older adults. As the café became more popular Alex enlisted the help of his friend Paul, aged 18, of Blackford.

Since the group started Alex and Paul have received £12,500 from Somerset Youth Opportunities and Youth Capital Fund and a further £6,000 from IT for the Terrified.

The money has been spent on new computer equipment including consoles, keyboards, mouse mats, mice and games.

All the new purchases will be shown off at the event as well as artwork on the theme of computers created by Paul’s girlfriend Rosalind Wright. The café has also expanded into home cinema and has bought a 25-seat film licence to play movies at the club.

As well as taking on the task of joint manager of the café, Alex is now undertaking a youth work apprenticeship with Somerset Youth Volunteer Network.