CATERHAM - The Arc

[babyOcho]

Does anyone know whether this place has shut down?

Thanks.

I think it must have.
Have a look at this:
www.peterainsworth.com/news/2004/090217ArcClosure.htm

Thanks cjones2979.

Do you happen to know if there is another soft play in that area?

The only ones I know of are KidSpace on the Purley Way or Donyngs in Redhill.

Yes, it has closed. As well as the ones mentioned there is also Manic Monsters in Edenbridge.

Manic monsters in Edenbridge

Yes The Arc has closed down temporarily while a new provider is found (the company who were running it before decided to leave). I do the accounts for the man who owns the building so I know all the ins and outs. They are doing some work inside soon and hopefully it will reopen again by the end of the year (they were looking at September but legal matters are slowing things down). Looks like it will be even better than before when it reopens

I use Donyngs in Redhill at the moment which is great as even though the soft play is small there is loads of room for running about and it is very good for toddlers.

Closed several months ago. Do you really think it will revive nikki as I understood funding was a key issue and Tandridge dc have found alternative venues in the meantime?

Tandridge do not own the building it is owned by CBCT (Caterham Barracks Community Trust). Tandridge Leisure (who also run De Stafford and Tandridge Leisure centres) were running the Arc for CBCT but unfortunately they did not make enough money to make the repayments necessary so handed in their notice. It will definitely reopen - CBCT have found a new provider but it takes time to sort out all the legal probs with Tandridge and get the place ready. They are planning on changing it slightly (possibly new play equipment, making a better eating place - bistro maybe, new party area, finishing the second half of the building) and all this takes time. But I am 100% sure it will reopen. Lets just say don't believe everything you read in the local rags ;)

Manic Monsters is good (nephew had his birthday party there)

KidSpace in Purley is expensive imo, but good if you've got older children (been for a few birthdays). I think I would have been a bit nervous going there with very little children - it's big and quite busy.

Isn't there a soft play area at Valley Park Croydon inside the Megabowl complex? Also there is a Wacky Warehouse in Horley and Gambados in Beckenham and Adventure Kingdom in Bromley.

The Arc opens again on February 13th 2010 and has a fantastic soft play area, restaurant and cafe. I am also going to be running my Dance School out of the new dance studio there "The Amareece School of Dance" on a Tuesday evening 3.30pm - 8pm Ballet, Tap, Street Dance and Theatre Craft 2.5 years and up - check it out!
Sarah