Role Play Rascals play centre in Faversham will open on March 21
A new children's play centre will open in East Kent next month and online bookings are now open.
In November 2019 mum-of-three Hayley Gatward announced plans to open Role Play Rascals in Faversham.
Designed with imaginary play in mind, the 1200 square foot site will offer children the chance to play in numerous different 'areas', which are a mixture of fantasy and more 'real life' scenarios.
And after almost five months of planning and work, an opening date for the new venture has been revealed and the centre will welcome visitors from Saturday, March 21.
The opening, which will include a visit from mayor Cllr Alison Reynolds, coincides with Hayley's son's fourth birthday celebrations in the morning ensuring that he and his friends can road-test the new play attraction to make sure it is up to scratch.
Hayley has taken over the former Allegro Dance Studio in Stone Street - with refurbishment work to the building including changes and redecoration of the kitchen and toilets, as well as a new disabled bathroom access for families.
Partitions across the one level have also been added to create the different themed areas which will include a garage in which young mechanics can use tools and change tyres, a train with roles for both driver and passenger, a supermarket and a space-themed rocket for budding astronauts. There will also be a dinosaur-themed land, a Superhero Lair for defeating villains and Unicorn Meadow fit for pint-sized prince and princesses.
Play sessions are 90 minutes long and sessions are now available to pre-book online at www.roleplayrascals.com
Session times will initially be 10am to 11.30am Monday to Thursday, with additional opening hours after school on Friday plus a dedicated session for children with special educational needs on Friday afternoons.
On Saturdays and Sundays the centre will open at 10am and close at 3.30pm. But Hayley, who to begin with will rope in her husband and family and friends to get Role Play Rascals up and running, says she hopes to be flexible and respond to demand accordingly.
She said: "I will listen to what people want and adjust what we do."
Role Play Rascals will also be available to hire for birthday parties or private events - with the centre having already taken some bookings and inquiries from families keen to use the venue for children's celebrations later this year.
The building will also be opening with a small cafe, serving hot and cold drinks, cake, cookies and pre-packaged snacks - another aspect of the business Hayley hopes to build on once she's opened and can gauge what her customers would like.
"Lets get open and get running and then look at expanding that side" she added.
For more suggestions of things to do with the kids across Kent please visit www.mykentfamily.co.uk or stay up-to-date by liking our facebook page.
