Setting up a Play Cafe: Key Considerations
Thinking of opening a play cafe?
We’ve seen a huge rise in the interest and demand for great play cafes that serve excellent coffee, delicious food and feature top-class play equipment. So, now could be the perfect time to start your new venture. Here we lay out a few key considerations when starting up a soft play cafe.
Premises
You’ve found a potential site for your cafe, is there enough space for amenities, seating and play? We can advise on how much space to allow for each. We can incorporate seating into some play area designs to allow for maximum covers in the space.
Location
“If you build it, they will come.” But consider where the premises is to your customers; is it on a bustling high street with plenty of footfall? If it’s in a remote location and they will be driving to you, is there ample parking? Choosing the right location for your new business is key.
Play
Our favourite part… designing the play. Think about your target customer again. How old are their children? When are they likely to want to visit your cafe? If you’re appealing to babies and pre-schoolers only, this will impact the play design. We encourage customers to consider the environmental impact of their bespoke play areas too, we can advise on best practices for a play space that’s kinder to the planet.
Offering
Long gone are the days of dingy soft play centres with bad coffee; families now want fresh, barista brewed coffee and delicious, nutritious food. Seek professional help with your menu, which will inform your kitchen requirements. Will you offer party packages? Classes? Speak to local suppliers and do your research to ensure your pricing is right.
….everything else!
Licensing, marketing, branding, staffing… there’s a lot of work involved in setting up a play cafe. But fear not! If you’re ready to take the step, our team can help you embark on your new venture. Just contact us today to get started.
Dan Morrison
This article was written by Dan, our Special Projects Manager. You can learn more about Dan here.