Empty market stalls to be city centre family hub

Seven vacant markets at Hanley Indoor Market would be converted into a family hub, under plans put forward by the council

Seven empty market stalls are set to be turned into a family hub, under plans put forward by a local authority.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council wants to create a "one-stop shop" for families at Hanley Indoor Market, in The Potteries Centre.

The local authority has been developing family hubs across the city using £3.5m of government funding.

The centres bring together council, health and community services in a single location to help families get the support they need.

The city council has submitted plans to convert seven vacant stalls at the end of the market near the toilets.

They would provide a venue for activity spaces, drop-in rooms, and a community bookshelf, the authority said, as well as a new soft play area.

Council officers believe the proposals would also help improve the market.

Their application stated: "It is felt that proposals offer a wider range of opportunity for the market and that they do not look to fundamentally change the market but make it more expansive.

"It is felt that persons typically using the market will find the range of new opportunities positive and that this will also have a positive impact on existing market stalls."

The city council currently operates five family hubs - in Bentilee, Shelton, Chell Heath, Tunstall and Longton. New family hubs are also being created in Abbey Hulton and Blurton.

Leaders said the roll-out of family hubs would support efforts to reduce the high number of children in care in the city.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.