A new project which helps to keep at-risk youngsters away from trouble by giving them an introduction to the hospitality industry can only go ahead if the council exempt it from its normal licensing policies.

The SMASH youth project, the Youth Justice Service and public health teams at the council have come up with an 18-month project called Solid Grounds Coffee, which would provide them with the opportunity to learn barista skills.

It involves serving coffee and food from a van parked in the car park at Clarence House in the council’s campus in Euclid Street.

But the snag is that the council has policies intended to restrict fast food outlets opening within 300 metres of a school and Holy Rood Catholic Primary School in Groundwell Road falls within that distance.

The youth project has lodged an application to the council’s licensing committee requesting it exempts the project and grants a licence.

Its application says: “We have recently been commissioned to deliver an 18-month piece of work with the Swindon Youth Justice Service and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner around supporting young people on the edge of criminal exploitation through creating some diversionary interventions around food and hospitality.

“The project involves installing a permanent food van in the car park of the borough council offices to create a space for young people to start to learn about work in the hospitality sector.

“The project is called ‘Solid Ground Coffee’, in recognition of how the work ‘creates solid ground for young people who don’t have it’ – as described by the young people leading the piece of work.”

The application is supported by two departments of the council itself, the Youth Justice Service and Public Health.

Head of the Youth Justice Service Michael O’ Connor wrote: “The potential for a food van is aligned to the evidence base to supporting children desist from offending behaviour, develop pro-social identity and community cohesion.

We have a close working relationship with SMASH and are confident that some of our most vulnerable children in Swindon will benefit from this project and be involved in its delivery.”

Public health officer at the council Mark Tidey added: “The prospect of the food van not just offering an important service to the community, but some life-enhancing skills and experiences for young people is an opportunity to offer great life chances for those taking part and giving them a stepping stone to a better future.”

The application will be considered by the council’s licensing committee on Thursday August 1.