Soft Play Facility Set Up
Discussion
Good morning,
I spent Saturday morning at a softplay facility with my 2 under 4 year olds, and whilst there, my brain started doing some rough back of the fag packet maths, and came to the result that these things must make a fortune. It was cold and wet outside, so probably the reason for it being exceptionally busy, but even so, the admission fee, as well as the small fortune made from the food and drink kitchen, made me think.
I have done a bit of research and found that the area I live in, only has 1 other soft play area, in a leisure centre. The one we went to was 20mins drive away and we saw some faces from the local area, so people are willing to travel.
I've made a list of questions and requirements that I think would be required to set up something locally, but does anyone operate / own a soft play facility that could let me know some key factors that I might have missed?
Or, any ideas that people have thought of when visiting a similar facility with their kids, that you feel other sites are lacking.
Thanks in advance
Ross
I spent Saturday morning at a softplay facility with my 2 under 4 year olds, and whilst there, my brain started doing some rough back of the fag packet maths, and came to the result that these things must make a fortune. It was cold and wet outside, so probably the reason for it being exceptionally busy, but even so, the admission fee, as well as the small fortune made from the food and drink kitchen, made me think.
I have done a bit of research and found that the area I live in, only has 1 other soft play area, in a leisure centre. The one we went to was 20mins drive away and we saw some faces from the local area, so people are willing to travel.
I've made a list of questions and requirements that I think would be required to set up something locally, but does anyone operate / own a soft play facility that could let me know some key factors that I might have missed?
Or, any ideas that people have thought of when visiting a similar facility with their kids, that you feel other sites are lacking.
Thanks in advance
Ross
Initial research for insurance shows to be around £3000 - £7000 a year. Red tape for sure, but looking at the place on Saturday I was in, it seems to be it's the parents responsibility for the children. I didn't see any staff in the actual play area itself. I'm sure if an accident happened, there would be a lot to go through. The odd kiddy was crying, where they'd run into another child, or the parents were telling them it was home time, but the equipment itself was well made, had ample padding and seemed to have been planned out meticulously. I got the details of the designer / manufacturer, just in case my initial crazy thoughts led to something!
All the staff were there collecting the money, monitoring the tables and sitting areas, and dishing out the food.
Speaking to the people I was there with, the need for somewhere clean during the week is great. I would imagine in the nicer weather the quiet time would be hard, but somewhere that has areas for the lower ages of the target market, for mums to go and get out of the house, meet other mums, somewhere that they feel comfortable feeding baby, is lacking in the market.
Simple food and drink would be a big winner too.
It cost us GBP15.00 to get in (2 adults, 1 over 3 year old and 1 over 1 year old). Higher costs for the kids GBP6.55, lower cost for the adults, GBP1.25. We decided to eat lunch there, another GBP20.00, plus a couple of cups of tea GBP5.00. So best part of GBP40.00 for a few hours. There must have been 100 to 150 kids there, then the parents.
They do parties, (we saw at least 5 in the 2 or 3 hours we were there)
Seems the need and market is there, it's just finding the key location, offering something slightly more than competition, although none really in my town apart from the Leisure centre one, which is tired and needs a full refurb.
The one from Saturday was on an industrial estate, with manufacturing units all around. So a warehouse with high ceilings (to get the slides in!!
All the staff were there collecting the money, monitoring the tables and sitting areas, and dishing out the food.
Speaking to the people I was there with, the need for somewhere clean during the week is great. I would imagine in the nicer weather the quiet time would be hard, but somewhere that has areas for the lower ages of the target market, for mums to go and get out of the house, meet other mums, somewhere that they feel comfortable feeding baby, is lacking in the market.
Simple food and drink would be a big winner too.
It cost us GBP15.00 to get in (2 adults, 1 over 3 year old and 1 over 1 year old). Higher costs for the kids GBP6.55, lower cost for the adults, GBP1.25. We decided to eat lunch there, another GBP20.00, plus a couple of cups of tea GBP5.00. So best part of GBP40.00 for a few hours. There must have been 100 to 150 kids there, then the parents.
They do parties, (we saw at least 5 in the 2 or 3 hours we were there)
Seems the need and market is there, it's just finding the key location, offering something slightly more than competition, although none really in my town apart from the Leisure centre one, which is tired and needs a full refurb.
The one from Saturday was on an industrial estate, with manufacturing units all around. So a warehouse with high ceilings (to get the slides in!!
The food and drink element will be a major contributing factor. I like the idea of a recognised coffee brand, I will look into this. Cosy seats for the adults to relax in while the kids run riot, as we all know those times are few and far between.
Good healthy food, along side the fried kids food as parents do try and push healthy food on kids until they rebel and want the chicken nuggets and chips!! Baby food would be a good idea too, pots of the meals that we'd prepare for them.
High Chairs, there's never enough high chairs in these places!!
I'm also thinking groups for new mums, they could bring babies, go to a quieter area, or side room for a group to talk about feeding, questions about what the baby has, or hasn't got. Nice social once or twice a week, charge a set fee and it includes a drink and biscuit or something. Getting out the house is something I could focus off of.
Evening things for the older kids, Laser Tag sounds good, maybe have some Black Lights in their to make it a bit spacey, and not as childish. Parties for that age group too.
A lot to think about.
The hardest thing so far seems to be the right type of premises. I've done a quick search on the internet, and nothing seems to be suitable. Might have to call agents and see what's out there that's not on the websites.
The other thing is how big to go. Do you go all out, or start slow and smaller in case things don't take off. Risk of that is, if it's not big and good enough, it won't attract the numbers needed to break even and make it successful......
Hmmmm.....
Good healthy food, along side the fried kids food as parents do try and push healthy food on kids until they rebel and want the chicken nuggets and chips!! Baby food would be a good idea too, pots of the meals that we'd prepare for them.
High Chairs, there's never enough high chairs in these places!!
I'm also thinking groups for new mums, they could bring babies, go to a quieter area, or side room for a group to talk about feeding, questions about what the baby has, or hasn't got. Nice social once or twice a week, charge a set fee and it includes a drink and biscuit or something. Getting out the house is something I could focus off of.
Evening things for the older kids, Laser Tag sounds good, maybe have some Black Lights in their to make it a bit spacey, and not as childish. Parties for that age group too.
A lot to think about.
The hardest thing so far seems to be the right type of premises. I've done a quick search on the internet, and nothing seems to be suitable. Might have to call agents and see what's out there that's not on the websites.
The other thing is how big to go. Do you go all out, or start slow and smaller in case things don't take off. Risk of that is, if it's not big and good enough, it won't attract the numbers needed to break even and make it successful......
Hmmmm.....
Thanks a lot Ben. Initially just doing the math and looking into it as a possible. Nothing decided yet as to whether i'll give this the go ahead or not.
If I do, I would certainly be grateful of a visit and a chat, hearing it from the tough end is exactly what we'd need!
Thanks a lot everyone, for good insight and lots to think about.
If I do, I would certainly be grateful of a visit and a chat, hearing it from the tough end is exactly what we'd need!
Thanks a lot everyone, for good insight and lots to think about.
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