A CHILDREN’s centre will finally get a home of its own after plans were unveiled to convert a former museum into a youth HQ.
Ramsbottom’s Children Centre has been a floating service since its inception last summer.
Co-ordinator Paula Cockcroft has been based at the town’s library, as Bury Council said it could not find a suitable home.
But now proposals have been revealed to transform the old Ram-sbottom Heritage Centre, a short distance away in Carr Street, into a permanent base for the venture.
Just off Market Square, the building is in a poor state of repair, with Ramsbottom Historical Society having found new premises elsewhere.
Council officials admit that the single-storey structure will need considerable work and an extension before it will be suitable to become a children’s centre.
In the early stages of con-sulations over the project, consideration was even given to demolishing the building and erecting a new one.
Part of the building is currently used as storage by Ramsbottom Library but the stock will be returned to the recently-extended facility, over the road, before work begins on the old heritage centre.
Ultimately the children’s centre will be able to accommodate 10 parents and 10 youngsters, alongside staff, in a creche.
Evening opening will also be made available for the youth ser-vice to host activities for 12 to 19 year olds.
Coun Diana Ashworth, Bury Council’s children’s cabinet member, said: “We have a long-standing commitment to building a dedicated children’s centre in Ramsbottom, as we have done in most parts of the borough.
“We are now proceeding with plans to develop a centre on the site of the former heritage museum, working closely with the library service and the conservation officer.
“If the plans are approved, we hope to have a children’s centre on the site in a year’s time.”
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