A STOURBRIDGE craft centre set up to help people with learning disabilities is to close its doors for good next week.

The Cockle Shell craft centre on Worcester Street, which offered visitors chance to paint their own pottery and enjoy a cuppa, is closing down after 16 years in the town.

Its final trading day will be Saturday March 30.

Run by national charity Camphill Village Trust, the centre aimed to provide opportunities for adults with learning disabilities from in and around the Stourbridge area.

A number of people have taken to social media to voice their dismay at the closure.

But Ian Laing, general manager of Camphill Village Trust Stourbridge, said: ‘The Cockleshell Café wasn’t being used as much as we would have liked and as a charity we have to utilise our resources responsibly to ensure we meet our objective of supporting people with additional needs.

"We appreciate some people will be sad to see the end of this local café and pottery venue and would like to thank all of our customers for their support, over the years."

The charity, which has been established in Stourbridge since 1970, now plans to turn the site in Worcester Street into ground-floor specialist flats for people with physical and learning disabilities.

Mr Laing added: "Camphill Village Trust remains committed to Stourbridge and is actively engaging with the people we support and community to understand how our resources could be used to meet local needs.

"Whatever replaces the Cockleshell café will be co-produced with various local partners.

"This will generate opportunity for the people we support to learn new skills and experience new roles in a bustling town environment.

"This will not only enable interested parties to contribute to the innovative work we already do, but also create a resource that will be valued and used by all within Stourbridge."