Cafe with play area - good idea?

mell242

I think this is a wonderful idea in theory (and one that I had been thinking about...not to start up, but to use!). I have a 16month old and I do find it hard to keep him amused if I want to go out for coffee with friends. The best thing that we have found is a local soft play.

I do agree you would have problems with mums sitting over one cuppa for a couple of hours!

A brilliant idea in theory though and good luck!

Errata

Mums taking an hour to drink a cuppa is one problem, another is who will supervise the play area. Clearly the mums can't do it whilst holding a cup of tea.

Gingham_Ribbon

I cant' remember if you mentioned this as one of your ideas, but something that I thought of today was that you may find that you could arrange for a midwife, physio or health visitor to drop in? I know a physio came to one of my baby groups and I was able to access help I didn't know I could get. Midwives are often involved in breastfeeding support - or maybe the NCT would be interested in getting involved somehow. And maybe if you advertise a certain morning having a C section support group or special needs support etc, you may raise awareness and interest?

Sunshine12

Havent read all replies so apologies if this has been said before but you should check out insurance situation just incase its excessive. I think its a great idea though.

gabyjane

As posted above dh is talking about the local play centre (play centre more than cafe but does have one in it)..that insurance is around the £8k mark per annum..not sure how that varies with just a cafe type place..a lot though!

Money_maker

I havent read this thoroughly but heres a few things I thought of:

The insurance will be very important. Can you have disclaimers about accidents or bags/pushchairs left unattended or not?

Hot drinks and toddlers dont mix. This will need careful consideration.

If you are feeding parents and kids, lots of room will be required for highchairs etc.

You will need a button press automated gate to prevent the little ones slipping out of the play area into an area serving hot food/the road outside/anywhere else!

Just a few ideas but would be ideal if you set up in my town! Although, saying that, if my child was amused for free or pence, then I could quite easily stretch a couple of cups of coffee to an hour or so and thereby using up one of your tables for a very low profit margin. Food for thought.