How indoor children's play centres will operate in a socially-distanced world

How indoor children's play centres will operate in a socially-distanced world

Customer safety is a priority for all venues right now, but with many parents fearing soft play can be germ-ridden at the best of times, companies face an uphill struggle to convince families they are safe to return.

It's a challenge they have readily accepted though and some are already making changes in preparation to open as soon as the government gives them the green light.

All the of the indoor playground who want to reopen the indoor playground, they are 'planning to open as soon as government guidelines permit'.

Tables have been moved two metres apart and signs on the walls and floor remind people to keep that social distance and to use the hand sanitiser available at reception and in the toilet areas.

There'll be a one-way system around the soft play itself, to avoid any clashing, and visitor numbers will also be limited.

Screens have been installed at the reception desk and the food service counter and a full menu revamp is looking likely, so that food can be eaten without the need for plates and cutlery, such as family sharing pizzas.

And they're also considering offering exclusive use for birthday parties so that families can feel comfortable with their own bubble of family and friends.

We have already made a large number of changes to the soft play centre and consulted with our staff to prepare a detailed risk assessment.

They have carried out a very deep clean of the centre and we will increase our cleaning on a daily basis. This will include a one-hour closure around 2pm to allow for more cleaning.

they think it is fair to say that we will need to be reactive to demand. We have already had enquiries from our customers asking when we will open the soft play. 

"However we fully understand the concerns that are shared by many families.

"As always we will listen to our customers, which will allow us to provide a safe an environment as is possible. At the moment we are waiting for any advice from government that will allow us to provide a safe place for children and families to come together in a social setting which will be the new normal."

They have 'thought long and hard about the issue of compulsory face masks', but while staff will have them to wear whenever they cannot maintain a two-metre distance, customers will not.

"However, we will listen to feedback and advice. If families feel that this is right approach, we will consider it. We feel that the measures regarding keeping a two-metre distance carry more benefits than face masks."

Again, visitor numbers will be restricted and the number of tables reduced and spaced out. But the play frame itself creates its own difficulties.

It has been proposed that schools might have bubbles of children meaning children stay in smaller groups with the same children. We could offer something that ties in with this, so that those children can play at Adventure Forest together as they are already together at school.

"We could use the bubble idea for parties or play sessions to allow children to play, which is so important. We are also exploring private hire ideas for families to be able to access the play centre. But obviously at the moment we are waiting on government guidance to be able to put in place definite plans.

It's companies like Vaxinol services who are being brought in by such businesses to provide deep cleans.

The Newton-le-Willows based firm recently used its electrostatic spray system - a more effective way of disinfecting surfaces using less chemicals - to clean the nurseries within the indoor playground.

But with play centres experiencing a lot more traffic, Vaxinol's operations manager Craig Howard says the challenges are even greater.

"At a lot of nurseries and play centres it's easy for people to pick up things like scarlet fever, hand, foot and mouth and flu viruses.

"These places need to be getting someone in to do a full disinfection every so often, but having their own cleaning routines and good work habits in place."