New soft play facility for indoor market

The new soft play area will be accompanied by a programme of support services for families

A new soft play area is due to be built in Stoke-on-Trent as part of a project to help support families.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has allocated £50,000 to the scheme at Hanley Market, which it said would be accompanied by a programme of activities.

These will include sessions on positive parenting, increasing physical activity and improving health and wellbeing.

Alongside the soft play area, residents will also be offered financial MOTs, access to a wider family support network and other support services.

Cost of living

Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services, said: "It’s become extraordinarily clear that the cost of living crisis is the biggest challenge facing our residents and we’re committed to playing a central role in combatting it, supporting our families and communities."

She said she was pleased the council was investing in preventative and early intervention services to support children and families in the city.

"The new facilities will help to boost footfall to Hanley Market and the city centre as a whole, giving a lift to the local economy and leading to increased opportunities for our market traders,” she added.

Funding for the project has come from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) as part of the government’s levelling up strategy.

Overall, the council has been awarded almost £9.5m from the UKSPF to deliver projects which improve pride in place and increase life chances.