Imagine Play Café in Chatham Dockside to open with space curated for children and parents

Two best friends have created an imaginative play café to entertain children while allowing parents to relax after realising there was a lack of spaces which catered to both.

Georgie Bleek and Steph Richard are opening the doors to Imagine Play Café in Chatham Dockside tomorrow (Monday, March 10).

The long-term friends turned business partners both have two children under the age of three and had the idea of making somewhere which wasn’t just catered for kids.

Steph, 36, told KentOnline: “I found it increasingly difficult that once I’d had my little boy and my little girl had just turned one, there wasn't really anywhere for me to go.

“There were soft plays, but when you've got a baby strapped to the front of you and your other one is just toddling, you can't climb up things and you can't go down the things.

“We sat down and said wouldn't it be amazing if there was somewhere that wasn't just for the kids but for the parents as well.

“These years between maternity and them going to school, there's not much for the parents.”

With Georgie feeling exactly the same, the pair, along with their respective partners, Jay Gold and Sam Richard, set about creating the perfect space for children and caregivers.

Inside the play area is a village green, an ice cream van, a café, a mechanic station, a beauty parlour, a jail where children can have their mugshot taken, a construction area, a vet surgery, all which allow children to let their imagination run wild.

In addition, there is also a baby sensory area and magical craft table, and everything is on one level so it’s easy for parents to keep an eye on their family.

Georgie, 35, said: “It’s about creating a community. And, for those first-time mums who are nervous going out and about, it’s also about creating a safe space for them as well.”

Back in December the pair got the keys and since then it has been all hands-on deck to get the venue ready – with all designing and constructing done by their team of four.

On top of their regular café bookings, of which there were over 500 in the first 12 hours, the business owners are running workshops in the evening which include “Mum’s Night Out” – a yoga session where mothers can stretch, unwind and enjoy a green tea.

In keeping with their goal to create a warm and inviting space for parents too, the café section has been carefully designed with bigger chairs which feeding mums can lean into.

Each detail has been painstakingly considered, from the rounding of table edges to prevent injuries, to choosing a location which is accessible and has parking.

Georgie, from Meopham, said: “Everything you can see in here we have designed and installed.

“Every spare moment we’ve been here. It’s a big step but we’ve just got to go for it.

“We hope it's a central hub for parents and caregivers to come and just be themselves.”

Steph adds: “Some people say it’s mad going into business with your best friend – but I think it’s the best thing ever.”

“Yeah, it really is – it’s been great,” Georgie replies.

The team has been overwhelmed by the response from the public with many people telling them “it’s so needed in the area”.

And the business owners agree but say “it’s so needed everywhere” which is why they hope to open more play cafes in the future.

“In two years’ time we want to open another one and then two years after that open another one,” Georgie laughs.

The café is targeted at newborns to children up the age of six. Booking online is necessary and it is open seven days a week. You can book here.

Caregivers can also pre-book food and drink ahead of their visit to take any “decision fatigue” out of the visit.

It is open 9.30am-6pm Monday to Friday, and 9pm-5pm on weekends.