What do you think of this idea?

[colnelcustard]

A friend and I have been discussing things that we can do to make money.

She used to live in New Zealand and said that apparently in shopping centres and stuff over there they have cafe's that have a specific child area, where there are nice toys and books to look at while your parent is having coffee.

I have been thinking about it and I think it would be a really good idea. I spoke to the other half and he doesn't seem to see how it would make money.

Explained to him that when I am out Costa/Starbucks etc. is full of parents having coffee with their children running about and being a pain in the arse generally.

So having a coffee shop that sells, tea, coffee a few homemade cakes with a play area for children might not be a bad idea.

Am I alone in thinking this is a good idea?

we have a local cafe that offers this in Belfast- the food and traybakes/cakes are homemade and excellent quality- they offer brilliant healthy options for kids too. the play area is small but always busy. I think your idea is a great one as this cafe is never empty. it is noisy and chaotic but mum's and dad's in the area love it.
they don't seem to have their own website but if you google Jellybean Cafe Belfast you will see lots of reviews etc , hope this helps! T

Great idea! I used to live in Australia and they are so more kid friendly there due to cafes like you have just described. As long as you have a good location, it should be popular as it is so nice to have a chat without continual interruptions. If the kids are happy, the parents are too!

There's a cafe near where I used to live in SE London and it has just this, a back room which is used almost solely by mums and kids. It's full of toys just like you describe. It's quite a relaxed place with a relatively simple menu but the food is good. It's a bit brown rice and sandals/lentil weavery too.

I think it's success is down to where it is, the area is known locally as nappy valley, very middle class, lots of families where mum can afford to stay at home with the kids and go to cafes for lunch.

Are there any in your area like this already?

These already exist in some places. Suggest you do a recce.

Where I live, if someone opened one, they'd be millionaires.

what about a soft play centre with a lovely cafe (not many with lovely cafes) It wouldn't have to be huge but a toddler one rather than for older children. I know insurance might be high but I think it's a lot cheaper than it used to be.

And if it was on the edge of town, you could have a petting zoo courtyard with some baby goats and lambs and bunnies etc.

when i was small my mu always took us to the same cafe when we were going clothes shopping in lisburn. it was called families and it had a separate play area with a tv and soft seating and toys. it was always packed. sadly it isn't here any more.

i think it is a great idea, especially if there are no others like it in your area.

my mum of course. i dont have a mu

like verity's idea - as a parent, I'd be worried about not being able to see my child or them running out of the door.

There is nothing like that round here. Just lots of costa's etc. where people are always looking really tense

So pleased I have some feedback.

Thanks

I guess you would have to make sure you have all the times of the day covered to be busy - not just up until school pickup.

If it is just for mums, dads and little ones - what about the looong summer hols when there are older siblings to be amused as well - you don't want to concentrate just on mums and toddlers iykwim. or after lunch times - will it die a death?

Plus you need to make sure you will have enough customers - every day, every week, every month, all year long. Thats what puts me off - I know people would love it round here - but will they love it enough to make a decent profit!

A friend of mine had this idea and looked into it seriously - went on business courses etc, found people to bake the cakes etc. I think the main stumbling block was the laws around building usage: in her town there were very few commercial properties available with Class whatever it is you need grading. So maybe ask your local planning officer first?

How about a chair/mirror and a friendly children's hairdresser in the corner too?

I would stop doing homebaked haircuts if I could relax and have a coffee at the same time...

We have one here too, and it's always packed. Excellent food too. I think thats really important, nothing frozen etc and proper home made cakes and soup. Children move it and I can sit and have a coffee, read a mag in (relative) peace.