Play area shut as store 'reviews' its next move

It's locked up as years-long agreement with charity group is approaching its end

- By Dave Knapper

A PLAY area built as part of a new supermarket development has been locked up. Now bosses with Sainsbury's say it is reviewing the area in Leek as an agreement with a charity brought in to run it approaches the end.

Meanwhile council leaders are also keeping tabs on developments at the facility after revealing how a condition under the original planning application for the town's sprawling Sainsbury's store contained a request that a play area had to be created. However while the nature reserve by the store can still be accessed the play area has been shut off with the gate locked.

It was back in 2016 when families welcomed the launch of the £50,000 play area when it was reported how it was being funded by the supermarket chain with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust brought in to run it. The area around it was also sculpted to help encourage wildlife.