Play time almost over

Just as Kathryn the owner was about to pull the plug on her dream business she discovered that another local play facility had closed.

After organising a farewell play for some loyal customers who's had their children's birthdays parties at Sweet Treatment she was told about the closure of Jungle mania.

Kathryn had recently been under a lot of stress which had been effecting her mental heath after using her savings to start the small business and then later taking on a substantial loan to keep it going and to invest in more play and sensory equipment so she could introduce a play charge in the hope of then being able to afford to hire staff and relieve some of the pressure of herself.

Unfortunately her plan didn't work out and after recently closing her doors to the public on set opening times she decided it might be best to consentrate more on securing the private hire and opening booking sessions to the public on a weekly basis around what fits in.

Kathryn admits this has relieved some of the pressure she was under and with the news that there is less competition she decided to stay open for the Christmas holidays and try to secure bookings to see if she can keep the business going.

Kathryn says ' I just couldn't keep going as I was not just financially but mentally, I love my little business, seeing some of the funny things kids do like putting a pan as a hat on the girls world toy' but on the days when no one comes in you leave so deflated and after it's hard to pick yourself up for the next day, this is why I moved to a booking system with priority to hirers

I don't think a lot of people realise I'm just one person trying to do everything or how much cleaning is involved or the cost to replace toys.

It's so sad when people ask me do I have to pay to play? and the answer is yes

I offered free play in the beginning when I had just had my teddies hospital and Science slab but I have come along way since then and now offer a lot of sensory elements but yet I still never afforded to pay myself a wage and unfortunately I am a business and I can tell you there is more bills to running a business than some people realise

It would be good if I could get to work with local organisations such as Better Start so that deprived families could get an opportunity to visit or as a possible option for an alternative contact visit for large families as we have curiosities for all ages!

I feel we offer a competitive price as we are £5 for 1 hour visit and less for under one year and a longer visit can be had if you wish to order food, how long would that £5 last if you took a child to arcade or fairground, I feel with that in mind we offer good value.

We are £80 to private hire for an hour and less for Schools, Nurseries and organisations with a second hour at half price, I think this also offers good value if you was to consider how much it costs to hire out the equipment we offer.

In a last bid attempt to try to make the business work I have invested further and am now offering free bubble house hire as part of our hire package, with many companies offering hire of bubble house alone at £200 , I genuinely hope that people of Blackpool and its surrounding areas see what a great offer this is and pre book there child's party, family get together or special event with us and keep this children's paradise alive!