A HEREFORD shop that helps support vulnerable adults and people with learning difficulties has closed to make way for the new city library.

Hand Made in Hereford, situated in the upper floor of Maylord Orchards, sold products made by the team from its workshop in Three Elms Trading Estate. It was an opportunity for the workers to be part of the community by learning marketing and sales skills, as well as customer service.

The shop was run by Widemarsh Ventures, a registered charity that is supported by Choices Foundation C.I.C. 

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However, after 11 years, the shop will now make way for the new library that will be housed in Maylord Orchards.

The library and resource centre is set to open in Spring 2024 after plans were approved. The redeveloped site, say Herefordshire Council, will re-use existing units and public spaces with the shopping centre to create an attractive, accessible public library and learning centre.

The project also includes enhancements to the Maylord Orchards shopping precinct atrium and adjacent Trinity Square to create a social space for people to meet and hold events. 

As well as its reading spaces, the new centre will offer information resources, business support, quiet study space, digital literacy programmes, access to PCs and a vibrant, engaging programme of cultural and creative activities. Visitors will also have access to face-to-face meetings about wider council services as well as a café designed to make customers feel at home in the space.