PLANS to open a youth centre with games area and café in Droitwich town centre have taken a step forward.

A planning application has been submitted to Wychavon District Council for a change of use to the former Hotelshop premises in the High Street.

The planning application, to provide a community facility for young people, comes after calls for one from young people at meetings of Police And Communities Together (PACT) – a group that brings police and local people together to discuss mutual concerns.

Talks are being held between the council, Droitwich Spa Area Partnership, Droitwich Spa Young Peoples Action Group and the owner of the premises to take on the lease.

Droitwich Spa Area Partnership manager Janet Yates said: “While this is still early stages, we are pleased by these developments. For a long time the local community has been asking for somewhere for young people to meet in the town. The proposal for the young people’s centre is a good example of partnership working to provide a facility which will benefit the community.”

The ground floor would be used as a place for young people to meet with friends and socialise. The facilities would include seating and a games area along with a youth café.

The upper floor would remain as offices and be used by agencies to offer support services to young people.

Wychavon community safety manager Dave Hemming said: “We appreciate there may be concerns about having such a facility in the town centre but by involving the young people and agencies such as the youth service and the police, hopefully we can allay these.”