A former nightclub in Carlisle is being turned into an interactive children’s play centre – creating 10 new jobs.

Tiny Town plans to open in the former Botanica nightclub in Englishgate Plaza, off Botchergate.

The aim of the role-play centre is to create unique play experiences for children, as it is set out as its own miniature town or city.

Children can shop in a tiny supermarket, work in a hair salon, become a construction worker, dress up as a policeman, fireman or doctor or prepare lunch in a restaurant.

Ben and Natalie Yates hope to open the new centre at the end of October or early November. The couple already run a Tiny Town centre in Newcastle.

Mr Yates, 36, said: “It seems like an odd marriage but a former nightclub is perfect for us.

“Our centre is suitable for children from walking age up to about the age of seven.

“The idea is that they can play and explore in a tiny town.

“It is not a soft play centre but is ideal for toddlers with a mini supermarket, salon, doctors and construction area.

“Young children go crazy for it.”

The old dance floor will become the play area and the DJ stand will be turned into a miniature Carlisle Castle.

Images of Carlisle as a walled city will decorate the centre.

Mr Yates, who is the co-founder and director, said: “There will be a secure buggy park and toilets with baby-changing facilities.

“There will also be a coffee shop for customers only.

“Tiny Town has been designed with early years practitioners to encourage interaction which develops excellent language and communication skills.”

Mr Yates expects people from west Cumbria to travel to the centre.

He said: “We have parking on site, which is ideal, and we are near bus stops and the train station.

“We will be taking on about 10 staff. Three or four of those jobs will be full time and three or four part time, as well as a couple of apprentices.”

The centre will also cater for children’s birthday parties.

A planning application for Tiny Town is currently being considered by Carlisle City Council.

It is part of a gradual move, on Botchergate as a whole, away from drinking and socialising.

Next door to Tiny Town, Carlisle’s first 24-hour gym – Snap Fitness – is preparing to open on the site of what was formerly Big Al’s Sports Bar.

The gym will be on the first floor of the building, with entrance at ground level.

Council leaders are hoping that the Botchergate area as a whole will be rejuvenated once it officially opens the new county council headquarters. It has taken five years – and £10.4m – but the building will eventually house up to 600 staff and will see the closure of a number of smaller satellite offices.

It will have a 101-space car park, and be open to the public at weekends and bank holidays. Staff are moving in this month and next.