YOUNGSTERS writing to Santa Claus asking for a soft play centre in Dunbar could get their wish this Christmas.

George Queen wants to transforming a building at the former Belhaven Brewery site off Spott Road into a soft play centre.

Proposals have been lodged with East Lothian Council’s planning department and Mr Queen is keen to see permissions in place and the facility up and running in time for the festive season.

He told the Courier: “Ideally, I would love to be open for December but I don’t think that is going to be possible.

“It needs to go through planning and building warrants first. As soon as that comes through, the finances are in place for it to go.”

Previously, a soft play area was based in the sorting office on the town’s High Street but it closed over two years ago.

Mr Queen said: “The soft play area is something we have been trying to do for a wee while but there were no places big enough for it.

“We saw the signs advertising the spaces in the Belhaven Brewery site and we agreed a price. We are going through planning permission at the moment and it is still in the early stages.”

The 58-year-old, who runs a labour hire business, said he had been looking for a site for more than two-and-a-half years. Various locations, including the former Abbey Church at the end of the High Street, were considered but attention was now firmly focused on the old brewery site on the town’s eastern edge.

Mr Queen expected 10 jobs – a mixture of part-time and full-time – to be created if the business gets the green light.

Currently, the building features a loading bay, reception and two offices, with a warehouse taking up the majority of the premises.

Under the proposals, the building would be transformed and become home to two soft play areas, a cafe and party room, with toilets and baby changing facilities.

Mr Queen, who plans to oversee the business, was hopeful it could expand if it proved a success.

He added: “We are starting off a small venture but it could grow as time goes on.”

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of the town’s community council, said: “The soft play and creche at the swimming pool has also shut and I think there is always a demand for places to take children to play.

“Having an empty building brought back into use is to be massively welcomed.”

The proposals note that the facility would be open from 8.30am to 5.30pm throughout the week.

The cafe would sell hot and cold filled rolls, as well as salad and fruit bowls and a selection of tray bakes and cakes, sourced from local businesses where possible.