According to the Association of Play Industries (API) Nowhere to Play report, there has been a significant decline in parks and green spaces, with 213 children’s playgrounds closed between 2014/15 and 2015/16, and plans to close a further 234. With budget cuts and safeguarding issues seemingly responsible, parents are increasingly looking for alternative play options for their children.
Meanwhile, the indoor soft play centre appears to be alive and well. Although admission is usually on a pay-to-play basis, parents can enjoy peace of mind in the secure play setting and encourage their children to get active whatever the weather.
Situated in Horbury, near Wakefield, new-start soft play centre, The Secret Garden, aims to offer a quality play and educational experience in a safe, supervised and stimulating environment. With many young families in the local community, the business is well-placed to attract custom and offers a range of structured and unstructured play for different age groups.
The Secret Garden caters for children up to the age of nine years; offering a baby area with sensory features, a toddler play section for children up to the age of four, and a junior play area for children up to the age of nine. The large mezzanine ‘Treehouse’ party room overlooks the soft play structures and hosts exciting birthday banquets and party packages for up to 30 guests! Busy parents and carers can enjoy the rare opportunity for relaxation in the cosy café, with a range of quality food and beverages on offer.
Although the first venture of its kind for directors, Richard Wood and Jade Towey, the thoroughly-researched and carefully considered concept is already proving a great success since its opening in September.
The duo approached Mark Johnson at Johnson Reed during the start-up process to explore finance options for the soft play structures and apparatus. Due to the versatility of the facility, Richard and Jade also decided to lease several elements of their fit out, including the coffee machine, signage and security.
The transparent agreement helps Richard and Jade budget accurately around the fixed tax-efficient repayments. With the equipment and fit out costs already factored into monthly expenses, the team can enjoy peace of mind and manage accounts with confidence throughout the vital early stages of trading.
I can’t recommend Johnson Reed highly enough. They have been instrumental in helping our business to get off the ground. Mark Johnson was brilliant throughout the whole process. Nothing was ever too much trouble and we are so pleased with how everything has turned out.
Richard Wood
