YATE councillors will decide once and for all next month whether they are "in or out" of controversial plans for a £500,000 youth caf.

The idea for the cafe follows months of consultation with youngsters in the town, many of whom have complained there is nothing to do.

It is not the first time young people in Yate have been asked what they want - but area facilitator for South Gloucestershire Council Sonia Furzland thinks it should be the last.

In a presentation to Yate Town Council last week she said: "They are tired of being asked what they want and it not being delivered.

"Either we say we can do this and in a certain amount of time, or we are not going to pursue it further."

The Youth Cafe Steering Group, which includes representatives from YDC URSAY, South Gloucestershire Council, Youth Information Service and Dodington, Yate and Sodbury parish councils, is trying to get the project up and running.

In the most recent consultation process, 495 young people were asked what they wanted.

An overwhelming 81.4 per cent said they would use a youth cafe on a regular basis.

Yate councillor Chris Willmore said the cafe needed to be in the town centre to avoid youths acting territorially.

"Whether we like it or not, young people think Station Road is territorial," she said.

"They see it as West Yate territory and think older people have got something in the town centre, why can't we?

"I think they want to make a statement about how important they are, which I think I agree with."

The cafe could cost up to half a million pounds depending on which, if any, of three options is chosen.

A new building could be erected by Yate Leisure Centre, an existing shop front could be rented or shopping centre managers, The CIT Group, may agree to build the cafe and lease it to the town council on a peppercorn rent basis.

Several councillors have expressed a long list of worries, particularly the financial implications, and proposed a number of alternatives.

Cllr Wully Perks suggested using the derelict Swan public house for a fast, temporary solution and Cllr Sue Walker questioned why the parish hall in Station Road could not be used.

She said: "I know it is not the most attractive building in the world but we have a building there we could use immediately."

Young people, however, have emphatically stated that they want the facility to be in the town centre.

If councillors give the idea the go-ahead, Sodbury Town Council and Dodington Parish Council will be asked to contribute but Yate Town Council would be the main financial backer.

No answer has yet emerged from Dodington but Chipping Sodbury councillors have already refused to pledge support for the project.

All concerns will be discussed at a special public meeting on Wednesday, February 4 (7.15pm) at Poole Court.

Ms Furzland urged councillors to finally make a decision.

She said: "I need to know, in principle, whether the town council supports the youth cafe or not and how much capital and revenue it is willing to give."