New Play Dough Hour at Richmond PizzaExpress - come for a play on 19 October - free lunch (and chance to win £50 PizzaExpress vouchers)

[carriemumsnet]

As you may know Mumsnet have been working with PizzaExpress to help design the family restaurant of the future. The new Richmond restaurant is about to open and they have asked us to find some Mumsnetters and children aged 2-5 to come along and try out their new Play Dough Hour on Tuesday 19th October. Once the restauarant is officially open the normal sessions will run between 10 and 11am, but next week they will be running two sessions from 10-11am and 11-12. You don't have to stay for the whole session - and if you're really having fun you could stay for both .

All they ask is that everyone who goes along offers feedback on Mumsnet about the session - just to check they are getting it right. Everyone who offers feedback will be entered into a prize draw to win £50 of PizzaExpress vouchers.

They say: "Play Dough is going to be one of our memorable events that we?re introducing every Tuesday. There will be drop in sessions where children will play, make shapes out of dough, while mum has cake and coffee. As shapes are being baked, kids will have a story read to them".

The Play Dough sessions are aimed at children aged between 2 and 5 - if you are in the area local-ish to Richmond PizzaExpress and would like to come along - please add your details here
PizzaExpress are happy to reimburse travel costs (up to £10 with receipts) and will provide mid morning snacks and/or lunch.
Thanks
MNHQ

PS Don't worry if you don't have a 2-5 year old, or can't make this date, there are going to be lots of other opportunities for Mumsnetters to try out the new restaurant, as well as special offers for PizzaExpress

We are on half term by then! How about a 7 year old with the 5 year old?

after 12.30 in the week or after 11.00am at weekends.

yes 12.15 onwards for 3+ at nursery
though earlier session probably better for 2+ who still sleep at lunchtime.

really would have loved this but cant as DH has hospital that date :( Any cspaces on other days?

Weekends after 11am please!

Thanks for all the comments, will compile them into a list for PE.

Lisa..this session will be running every Tuesday so maybe you'll be able to go another day (non MN day)?

fridayschild - your 7 year old is welcome!

what about opening on 21st?

well I said it a few posts in!

dd finishes preschool at 1145 and then school pick up for older ones is from 3. so maybe 1230 - 230. suits me

dwayne..not sure re PE but we are having a big Ford track day at Donington tomorrow...not north north but north of brum!

That sounds like so much fun! We make all our bread and our pizzas from scratch and the dcs adore playing with the dough. I would be in heaven with someone else playing with them and a slice of cake! I suggest they try their ideas out in Durham next .

To add to the timings debate, not all 3+ children do go to nursery at all. Not all go every day. Some might do 5 mornings but some do 3 slightly longer sessions. My 3 year old just does 1 full day. It is a pain in the bum when things start to be closed to preschoolers and you can't do anything in the morning.

will they be doing one up north?

"not all 3+ children do go to nursery at all" no of course they don't mine only did party time afternoons at three but lots and lots do which cuts out a huge chunk of their target market. No-one is suggesting that they don't do the morning ones but that they consider adding a later one to encompass more 3-5 yr olds.

Ok, I was just saying :)

Still want them to come North though. I really feel they need to run a few sessions in Durham to see if us tight-fisted folk in the NE react in the same way as the London lot. My request if purely motivated form concern for their market research you understand and has nothing to do with wanting a bit of peace and a slice of cake.

would love to attend, but dd4 is allergic to eggs, milk and nuts. would it be a safe thing for her to do?

I would attend an up north one btu been as though its down south can you aske them to add chips to the menu thanks.

Indith - if you make your own dough, you are one step further than PE

midee Pizza Express say "No nuts milk or eggs are in the dough so if her child can be in the vicinity where these are used, there shouldn't be a problem.

As with all allergies, I have to warn that these ingredients are used in the restaurant and so whilst the greatest care will be taken, products can risk contamination from source.

If she chooses to come, I would also ask that she highlights the allergies to the team so that they can advise when ordering items to eat.

I hope this answers the query. They are of course welcome, and we have become used to accommodating customers with allergies."

Ds3 and I will be coming along to the 11am session tomorrow. Very much looking forward to meeting some of you.

I may have left this too late as I now have just a day to beg and bribe persuade DS3 to sit quietly for the story while the dough is baking. Please take your judgey pants off if he has a lapse of concentration and starts singing RnB songs (Teenage brothers + Kiss FM = Eminem from the mouths of babes) before we get to "and they all lived happily ever after."

See you tomorrow!

We had a fab time this morning. I am totally sold on the concept. And looking forward to giving feedback.

Thanks so much.

We had a great morning, little ones loved playing with the dough (assortment of cutter shapes and rolling pins) and enjoyed eating their finished products! We were entertained with a chef spinning dough, interactive screen games, lovely new books , colouring and trying out some delicious new treats - the dough balls with Nutella went down a storm! Lots of happy chocolate covered faces! And that was just the mums....
The interior looks fab - I am looking forward to taking the family and trying out the new comfy booths and sampling some of the new dishes - the menus looks great, more variety and a new treats and snack menu - great for coffee mornings after school drop offs. Thanks for a fun morning - staff were lovely and great with the kids.

I went to the 11am session. It was lovely :) books, screen games, dough rolling and lots of food to taste! Thank you for a very nice time!

And I was very impressed with the lady with the 11 week old and the fantastically behaved 3 yo. I was nowhere near that pulled together when ds was 11 wks. And she had 2!
If you're reading this, i hope you realise - You look great :)

All kids were so lovely and their mnetter mums. So friendly! :)

Starexpat Thanks. Two compliments in one post. Has made my day. Your DS was really cute too. ;)

It was great to meet some other MNs.

I had a fab time and the chocolate cakes were wonderful. The new menu is great. Looking forward to posting my feedback in detail.

Thanks for the comments on here...all are being read by PE - official feedback thread is here

Thanks. Ann