A children’s play centre and cafe could fill a “gap in the community” if the owners are given permission to convert a former car parts and servicing shop.
Plans have been unveiled for a change of use from car showroom to cafe and children’s play centre at the former Land Marque business in London Road, Hadleigh.
Holly Woodford has submitted the plans to Castle Point Council, which state she plans to create an “imagination play space for children under six”.
If agreed by the council it would have a maximum of 15 children per session and be open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm.
Land Marque, which was a specialist garage repairing and maintaining Land Rover vehicles, moved to a new base in Purdeys Way, Rochford, back in 2019. In a supporting document for the planning application, Mrs Woodford said: “I, Holly Woodford am looking to submit a change of use for property 327-331, London Road, Hadleigh, in order to open a café and adjoined play area for children under the age of six.
“The business concept is responding to children’s love of role play by creating an imagination play space for children under six and a space for their grown-ups to sit and enjoy coffee and snacks, whilst observing their little ones play. The imagination play area will be designed to represent a mini village with shop fronts, vets, a supermarket, a post office, a beauty salon, wooden Montessori furniture, and props, providing an immersive play experience for little ones.
“The café area will be designed for both children and grown-ups, including a coffee shop style menu and whilst we are planning on having all food and drink consumed on site, we may explore the option of takeaway coffee in the future.
“There is no business with a concept like this in Hadleigh or surrounding areas and from market research of similar concepts in other areas, I will be fulfilling a gap in the local community, supporting both children with social, creative and physical development and their grown-ups, providing a safe and warm place to visit.”
Opening times, according to the application would be Mondays to Saturdays, from 9am to 5.30pm with timed sessions which need to be pre-booked.
This will “avoid overcrowding as we will limit the play area to 15 children per session,” according to the proposal.
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