Cafe with play area - good idea?

bestpud

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

I think that's a legal requirement, is it?

Is it? I didn't realise that and people still seem to be asked to leave cafes...

There was someone on here not so long ago I think...

But I actually meant BF 'friendly' more than BF 'allowed' as such, iykwim?

I was thinking of making the actual cafe area suited to BF mothers - I don't know how, but perhaps making sure there are seats that can't be seen from the street etc.

Allowing for the fact some BF mothers like to be more discrete than others and it's quite hard to find somewhere you can sit and feed in a relaxed manner in my experience.

That kind of thing was more what I was thinking.

kegg_2

we have several soft play areas within a short driving distance and they have cafe facilities.
They tend to be quite empty during the day but fill up between 3 and 6 when the infant aged kids come out of school.
Then again during the winter holidays they are packed out but come the summer holidays when the weather is better they are empty again as everyone is in the parks or beach (i live on the coast)

anna-marie

Hi, I often thought about that idea when my three children were pre-schoolers. If there had been anything like that I'm sure I would have made very good use of it. But I suspect that the reason you don't see them around is because when you look into the details of the possible cash flow it would be very difficult to make a profit. All of the successful play centres with cafes local to me are in gigantic buildings on industrial estates. Even the play areas in a couple of pubs I knew have been closed down to make room for more tables - more profit. Also, I think I only considered that to be a good thing to do while I had little kids round my ankles all day anyway. Now they are all at school I don't think I'd enjoy working all day surrounded by other people's babies. Sorry to seem to be negative about your idea, but it's worth considering possible obstacles before you invest money and energy!

Gingham_Ribbon

Someone on here gave me some sound advice a while back, about work. It was about thinking about what I'd want when my children were older, not what I am interested in NOW, which is all about toddler stuff!

You wish there was such a thing near you, presumably. No doubt others do too. But are you interested in running a cafe, cooking and cleaning tables, making sure you have the right stock in etc as well as dealing with customers and the noise that a play type place would involve? Do either of you have experience of this type of work, apart from your friend being a good cook? How much is about really wanting to do that and how much is it about a convenient option while you're housewives? Where will the money come for the start-up investment?

I think this is a really exciting time for you and your friend. Giving up work to look after my family is something I'm so glad I had the opportunity to do. It's scary getting back into work after 7 years at home. I've been planning it for a long time and came up with all sorts of ideas before settling on something. To be honest, move of them revolved around working with pregnant women and new mums! Stepping back from all that and remembering who I was before the kids came along has been helpful and I'm glad to say that remembering that I've changed as a result of being a housewife for so long has been helpful too. Putting them together, I've made a plan for the future and I'm starting to live it.

Good times, Roxie. I hope whatever you decide you'll find everything you're looking for!

sarahs999

It's a great idea. Don't let anyone tell you it isn't, because it is.

However as thers have pointed out, it's difficult profit-wise. Make sure you offer something the other place doesn't, so you'll have a unique 'draw' from neighbouring towns (just like yuo currently go out of your way to visit the other place).

Also, have you thought about sharing with another business? So for example, can you cleverly set it up so that someone else runs their business from it at night (turns into a little bistro, kids toys away etc). That way you could share a lot of the costs. It's difficult but not impossible if you have the right business partner.

RoxieW

Re the opening hours - there are several cafes in town already and they only operate within these hours - there's just isnt an early morning or teatime trade.
They are always busy during these hours. My friend works at one and they need 6 waitress staff 11- 2, 4 staff 9 - 3. She says she is rushed off her feet and that cafe is up a flight of stairs so not really suitable for babies or the elderly.
Our town is a very small community type town - a shopper town rather than a worker town. There would be very little 'on the way to work' trade. Walking around during the day it is mums with buggys and old people. It is a fairly busy town as is flanked by small villages which have nothing but a corner shop so many will come in the go to the supermarket/post office/boots etc.
There are a few play groups which are busy and a couple operate a waiting list.
As we would be alienating people without children anyway I was thinking about going the whole hog and doing things like story time etc - ie a timetable of things going on.
With regards to rent costing etc of course I am looking into that but posted on this thread to research demand and ideas from mums. I am researching the business aspect as well of course.
Thanks for the help so far.

RoxieW

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

Someone on here gave me some sound advice a while back, about work. It was about thinking about what I'd want when my children were older, not what I am interested in NOW, which is all about toddler stuff!

You wish there was such a thing near you, presumably. No doubt others do too. But are you interested in running a cafe, cooking and cleaning tables, making sure you have the right stock in etc as well as dealing with customers and the noise that a play type place would involve? Do either of you have experience of this type of work, apart from your friend being a good cook? How much is about really wanting to do that and how much is it about a convenient option while you're housewives? Where will the money come for the start-up investment?

I think this is a really exciting time for you and your friend. Giving up work to look after my family is something I'm so glad I had the opportunity to do. It's scary getting back into work after 7 years at home. I've been planning it for a long time and came up with all sorts of ideas before settling on something. To be honest, move of them revolved around working with pregnant women and new mums! Stepping back from all that and remembering who I was before the kids came along has been helpful and I'm glad to say that remembering that I've changed as a result of being a housewife for so long has been helpful too. Putting them together, I've made a plan for the future and I'm starting to live it.

Good times, Roxie. I hope whatever you decide you'll find everything you're looking for!

Hi gingham - I really dont see at as something convenient tbh. i think it would be really hard work and its that I'm a massively 'kiddy' type person so want to revolve around children. But I feel being a mum has showed me a gap in the market that perhaps could be profitable?

RoxieW

Ok - so thinking about what is already in town cafe wise -
A very nice posh cafe which opened about 2 yrs ago but you feel quite unwelcome going in with children. the owner even told me he doesnt like kids in there. no changing facilitys or room for buggys etc. this opens 9.30 - 3pm and is always full.
A tiny cafe with limited room, no facilities or space for buggys - again, always busy. Been there at least 5 yrs.
A cafe up a flight of stairs - very busy! Been there at least 5 yrs.
A couple of 'greasy spoon' type cafes which serve lunches etc - but arent really 'posh' coffee shops (instant coffee)
A wetherspoons pub

Of the bunch I go to the pub which isnt ideal as obviously its a pub but its the most easily accessible with a buggy and has the most space.

So although there are several cafes up and running I think there is a gap for something more geared to the mums.

RoxieW

Rather than expanding into evening meals or other areas I was thinking about running with the mums/tots market and perhaps having a small gift type shop - maybe locally crafted gifts (nappy cakes etc), good quality toys or books and clothes?? There isnt anything similar in town but an adult gifts and interiors shop opened and is doing really well, despite me thinking our town wasnt the 'right' kind of town for it. Also, as well as things for the children something like a beautician coming once a month so the mums can have their nails done while the lo's play. Wouldnt be diffiult to set up and could just work on a 'commission' type basis.

RoxieW

I know I'm running away with myself here but just throwing ideas around