A CHILDREN'S indoor play area which closed suddenly is set to become an housing advice centre.

Soft play area and cafe Shakeey Shake and Play in Trinity Street, which closed in November, would be taken over by Worcester City Council to house its housing advice team, according to plans.

The city council wants to move its housing advice centre, which is currently based in the Hive, into the now vacant building as the lease runs out in March next year.

The building had been empty for a number of years until it was taken over by the Shakeey family and turned into a children's soft play area in 2016.

The centre would offer advice on housing benefits as well as homelessness prevention services.

The city council said it expects around 30 people to use the advice centre per day and would largely work on an appointments basis but drop-in visits would also be received at the centre.

A statement on the children's play area's Facebook page on November 19 said the business would no longer be trading.

Several disappointed parents and grandparents were saddened by the announcement of the closure.

Kara Henman, on the play area's Facebook page, said: "Oh what a shame my grandson loved it there.

"He had outgrown it but we would have been returning with the granddaughter. I spent many hours there having a lovely coffee while watching him play."

Kim Russell-Smith said: "Oh no, my son loved this place. Had an awesome birthday there too."

Alison Hodges said: "Well that didn't last long. So much wasted potential there though."

The plans can be viewed via the planning section of the city council's website. The application number is 19/00896/FUL.