A brand-new soft play that’s perfect for half-term fun is now open for families across Worcestershire.
Anchors Away Soft Play & Café, a family-run business based in Cleobury Mortimer, was opened last month by mother-daughter duo, Dawn Broome and Jessica Manley.
The soft play barn, which has a nautical theme, offers a safe space for children up to age 12 with interactive portholes to watch the fish swim by, a ball pit area and helter-skelter slides.
Owner Ms Broome, 63, said: “My daughter and I came up with the idea after noticing that there wasn’t really anything around Cleobury Mortimer for young children to enjoy. The nearest soft play areas are either Worcester or Ludlow and some families can’t afford to travel that far.
“The business has been a long time in the making. We approached a farmer over a year ago and they agreed to put a building up for us.
“Since then, we’ve had my partner, Nigel, fit the electrics, my son-in-law, James, help with the carpentry and my son, John, do all the plastering. It’s been a real family affair”
The facility caters for each age group from a smaller play area for toddlers to basketball hoops for older kids.
There is also a session for SEN children every Sunday between 9am and 10am where the music is quieter.
As well as a play area for the children, there is also a café offering hot food and drinks and an option to book for parties.
Ms Brome said: “My daughter used to work at the Wyre Forest School, so she was really keen to develop an interactive area for SEN children with infinity stars and portholes that have jellyfish and sharks swimming by.
“We want to make the facilities as inclusive as possible and we hope in the future that we can install hoists and beds for more children with disabilities to be included.”
The sessions are based at Unit 1, Old Fellows, New House Farm Industrial Estate and they run seven days a week.
Families can join the team from 9am to 4pm on Monday to Wednesday, 9am to 6pm on Thursday and Friday, 10am to 4pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
Entry costs £5 for under-5s, £7 for over-5s and £3 for kids aged six to 12 months with pre-booking advised on weekends and in school holidays.
Ms Broome added: “We are so proud of the play area and the feedback we’ve had on our idea so far has been brilliant.
“We can't wait to welcome even more children during half-term and even have a Halloween party scheduled in the next week or so.”
For more information or to book a slot visit www.anchors-away-soft-play.com
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