A WORCESTER businessman has breathed new life into the city’s derelict former library by opening a new play area for youngsters.
The building on Trinity Street has been transformed into Shakeey’s Shake and Play by caring boss Sheikh Aftab Latif.
Affectionately known as ‘Shakeey’, the businessman was enlisted by Worcester city councillor Allah Ditta to bring his idea for affordable childcare to a reality.
As a result, Shakeey’s Shake and Play offers a play area with different sections for all ages and a restaurant and cafe area for mums and dads from across Worcester and beyond to meet up and chat.
A fully registered creche is also offered from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm with one hour costing just £5 rising to £17 for four hours and will include biscuits, milk, fruit and juice.
A dedicated feeding area is also on offer for breastfeeding mums and Shakeey told the Observer he wanted to help parents from across the city.
“Worcester is growing and only we right we reflect that,” he said.
“Mums come in groups, from newborn children to toddlers and we aim to make them very comfortable.
“In the cafe area you have a breakfast, our prices are very reasonable and it’s all in a child friendly setting.
“The menu is very important to us, we offer a lot of home cooked, healthy, fresh food to offer something very different to parents and their children.
“I hope it will suit all the community, people who work in the day and can’t come out in the day but can come into the city during the evening with their children.
“After you come from work you might want to go shopping, this way your child can have fun,” he added.
The businessman was first approach in May 2015 about taking on the former library site by Coun Ditta who was backed by Worcestershire County Council leader Coun Simon Geraghty and City Council leader Coun Marc Bayliss.
“There was a desperate need to help new mums and mums of toddlers in the city, he was a bit relunctant but I was insistent and said I would support him anyway I can.” Coun Ditta told the Observer.
“This was a derelict building for a long time so brining that back into use is already a good start but something which is a need in the community is also so vitally important
“It’s such a huge building, we had this on the market and it’s a real eyesore. To have it filled in this way is a real bonus,” he added.
Birthday parties can also be held at the venue.
Call 01905 28299 or visit www.facebook.com/shakeplay for more information.
