Hub’s future looks secure for village...
Post Office and nursery now both use community site
AFTER some difficult years, the future of a Staffordshire Moorlands village hub has been secured.
The Hub, a community centre located next to Waterhouses Primary School in Waterfall Lane, is home to Teddy Bears Day Nursery and a community Post Office.
Now, the trustees have announced that the community venture has a secure and promising future, after some difficult years of under use of the building.
Trustee of Waterhouses Youth Project, Vincent Cooper, said: “We have recruited two new trustees, with strong community links, and the charity which operates
“The Hub has a secure financial base, thanks to income from the nursery and post office.
“This is a tremendous resource, totally re-developed as a facility for
young children under the previous “Sure Start” scheme, together with a separate Post Office unit.
“Teddy Bears Day nursery is run by local resident, Debbie Mccarthy, and her staff and operates from 7am, five days a week and 51 weeks a year, providing nursery places and also “wrap-around” care for children attending the primary school next door. Following the disruptions of covid, it is now going from strength to strength, has a close relationship with Waterhouses Primary School and welcomes enquiries from around the area.
“Currently, the Post Office is open on Tuesdays from 12pm to 2pm and on Fridays from 10am to 12pm. Subject to Post Office Counters’ approval, the plan is for an additional session on Wednesdays from 1.45pm to 3.45pm, specifically to align with school finishing time.
“This is an important service for members of our community who would otherwise have to travel miles for postal services, benefits and banking.”
Concerns over the future of the community premises has been highlighted for several months by members of Waterhouses Parish Council.
The authority are the trustees to the deeds of the premises.