Bit of marketing - Children's play centers.

Kayalana99

Thought this was the best place for it.

I am serouisly considering running my own business doing a child's play center...for babies/toddlers age i.e soft play. Perhaps two seperate play areas for the older children.

Now in my area, their are lots of Mums who are on benifits - council estate bascily who don't have cars, and the nearest play center is about a 90ish min walk from town, but on looking at all the other play centers they all seem to be abit out the way but with large car parks.

So I was wondering how important is it to you to be able to drive to a childs play area? I consider it would be easier for those that do drive to stick the kids in the car and then be straight in and out... but for the Mum's that don't drive I was considering a location in town so they can get buses and walking distance isn't OTT as the area I am aiming at is just outside town.

So I was wondering peoples opinion as with town - I am not going to find a place with a car park, just outside of town with a car park is possible, but perhaps would not be as good walking distance for those without cars and obvouisly town being the place so many people go...seems ideal to have a little play area located their but I think the no parking thing is a big deal (well their is town parking but that costs £3ish an hour its expensive and considering I am aiming at the 'low budget' familes as play areas are only £2-£4 entry fee depending on age of child)

marisco_2

A play centre that does not have a car park will not be such an appealing option as one that does, so that will limit who comes along to the facilities. If your business is located by or near to a bus route that would be a huge benefit. When you do your research I would also look into other competition, such as any sure start centres in the area which can be accessed free of charge, and also what is already offered in places such as sports centres for the local community too.

Rebecca01

There is one on the town centre I live at, it is always packed. It is near the swimming pool though. So lots of pull to go to town.


Sometimes its nice to be shopping and have that as a reward/encouragement for the kids not to moan while we are shopping.

I like the town centre idea. It encourages us to walk to town as the car park is nowhere near the soft play.

carolan78

We had one just out of town so easy for those without cars to get to but with very limited on street parking also used by other businesses in the area. It went bust 12 months.

I imagine those on limited income would still struggle using the bus due to the costs of fares. I know a visit to a softplay for me and two children is usually aprox £25 without travel by the time we have paid in and bought drinks and food for the children.

carolan78

If I were to start a softplay one thing I would do is change the kids meals. All the kids meals in our local ones are the usual chips, chicken nuggets, fish fingers ect ect. It can't cost much to be able to offer things like cottage pie with veg, lasagne basically anything home cooked that isn't fried.

notanewuser

I looked into this when I stopped working. It costs upwards of £100k for a decent playframe. The sort of place I'd want to visit would cost around £300k for just the play frame, never mind the premises, kitchen, toilets etc.

notanewuser

carolan78 wrote: »

If I were to start a softplay one thing I would do is change the kids meals. All the kids meals in our local ones are the usual chips, chicken nuggets, fish fingers ect ect. It can't cost much to be able to offer things like cottage pie with veg, lasagne basically anything home cooked that isn't fried.

There's a lot of waste with home cooked stuff. That's why they stuck to frozen stuff that can be fried.

minimoneysaver

The play centre by me, rents the play equipment. Maybe that is an option?

notanewuser

Trouble is, to afford to run a play place you need either high footfall - which won't make it popular with those that want somewhere quiet for babies and toddlers to play - or high prices, which won't be popular with those on benefits/low incomes. My group of mummy friends are reasonably well off, and we take the kids to places like that during school hours. Price is rarely the biggest factor. Suitability of equipment and cleanliness/menu choice/toilet facilities and the ability to walk or drive and park are what keep us going back. Decent coffee and WIFI too.

There are some near us who think a small area with a few foam shapes is enough for under 2s.

Person_one

I imagine insurance is massively high cost for those places too.

What's the town centre like OP? Is it bustling, lots of other attractions, decent car parking for shops and so on?

carolan78

notanewuser wrote: »

There's a lot of waste with home cooked stuff. That's why they stuck to frozen stuff that can be fried.

Why would there be a lot of waste with home cooked food? It can be batch cooked and frozen.