PLANS to turn a vacant shop space into a children’s play cafe have been approved by Durham County Council.

Applicant Kimberley Welburn secured permission to change the use of an unused shop in Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery, into the Oopsy DownTown Play Cafe.

The qualified teacher – who has 13 years of early learning experience – plans to launch a hub for child-friendly facilities, events and refreshments.

Mrs Welburn said she was over the moon and couldn’t wait to get started on the project which will function as both a play space and a setting for adults to relax and socialise.

A statement to planners read: “From studying similar projects in other areas I have found that clientele will come from outside the immediate area in order to use well-prepared and exciting facilities and this could bring trade to other businesses in Easington.

“I believe that providing an interesting and ever-changing environment for children to explore is an ideal way to develop their curiosity, provide opportunities for them to ask questions, and to talk about things they have discovered.”

The cafe will open 9.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and can be hired out for birthday parties and functions on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Other plans include an Ofsted-registered afterschool club for children three to ten, from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, and sensory and music sessions for under-threes.

Mrs Welburn added: “We wanted to do something in a smaller village as everything seems to be going into the city.

“More and more I’m hearing from several mums that there’s not much out there for them.

“We want to do something for the children.”

Following refurbishment, the business is set to open in January 2019.