A Gateshead pub could be transformed into housing and a community centre if exciting plans are given the go-ahead.
Handcrafted are behind proposals to give the Shakespeare Inn a new lease of life.
The Durham based charity helps people to develop skills, build confidence and “engage in positive activity”.
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It does this through practical training and creative activities which run from 9AM until 4PM on weekdays.
The organisation wants to put four one-bedroom flats on the first floor of the hostelry.
A leaflet distributed by the charity to near-by properties explained the proposals.
In it the organisation described how the premises could also be used for a community cafe which would be open to the general public.
Alongside the cafe, it said, a new training kitchen will offer cookery classes to people being trained by the charity.
Behind the cafe, Handcrafted will open what it describes as a ‘makers’ space’ where it will provide the tools and knowledge to help people learn about woodworking and discover working with other materials.
The leaflet added: “These projects will be open to new referrals and be offered alongside our popular women’s craft group where we will look at soap making, resin casting, flower pressing and many other exciting crafts.”
Gateshead Council is expected to decide on the application in October.
