A long-awaited play centre built inside Herne Bay’s former sorting office could open in a matter of weeks.

Bosses at Play Zone in Eddington Lane are fitting the building out, and KentOnline has been given a first exclusive glimpse inside.

They hope to open in the spring after acquiring the ex-Royal Mail site from Stour Side Investments in 2014.

Manager Jenia Shchedrova, 30, thinks the centre could be up and running in one to two months time.

She said: “We are currently trying to make everything open as soon as possible. Unfortunately we can’t confirm when we will open yet because we still haven’t received the certification from building control.

“I think as soon as we have got those we will post an opening date on Facebook.

“We do have a lot of construction work going on and we are in the final stages of finishing it.”

Mrs Shchedrova, who lives in Canterbury, says a cafe will feature at the centre.

She said equipment currently on the site’s forecourt will not go inside, adding: “The centre will be for everyone from babies to people who think they can manage it. If you are 65 and want to have a go, we will never stop you. We are looking to run different classes for people, like ballet.

“We are working hard on that – it’s not just going to be a play zone but also a small activity school.”

The sorting office shut in September 2012 when the operation moved to Canterbury. The site was taken over by V&A Entertainments two years ago.

Mrs Shchedrova says six slides will feature in the play area, and that the centre is now recruiting.

Anyone interested in working at the centre can contact Mrs Shchedrova via email at info@play-zone.co.uk