Opening a Soft Play Centre in the UK: Steps, Costs and Timeline (2026)
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Quick answer: Opening a soft play centre in the UK usually runs in this order: research local demand, write a business plan, find a building and check its planning use class, commission a play frame designer, sort insurance, fire and food registration, fit out, train staff, then open with a soft launch. The biggest costs are the building (rent and fit-out), the play frame and staffing. Costs vary so much by size and location that the only reliable figures are quotes for your own site, so get them early.
At Soft Play Market we supply balls, foam pieces and small play sets to soft play centres, and many of the first emails we get come from people at the very start: they've seen a unit, they have an idea, and they want to know what comes next. This guide sets out the steps, the main cost areas and a realistic order of work for opening a soft play centre in the UK. We won't quote average start-up costs or profit margins, because they swing hugely between a small toddler café and a large multi-level centre, and anyone quoting a single figure is guessing.
Is a soft play business a good idea?
It can be, in the right location. Soft play centres rely on local families with young children, steady weekday trade from toddler groups and parents on leave, and weekend birthday parties. The risks are high fixed costs (rent, rates, staff), seasonal swings (busy in winter and wet weather, quieter on sunny summer days) and competition from nearby centres. Before spending anything, answer three questions honestly:
- How many existing centres are within a 20 to 30 minute drive, and how busy are they at different times?
- Is there a gap, such as no toddler-focused centre, no café-led centre, or no SEN sessions locally?
- Can you find a building with enough height, parking and the right planning use?
What are the steps to open a soft play centre in the UK?
- Market research. Visit competitors at peak and off-peak times, note prices, party packages and what parents complain about in reviews.
- Business plan. Income streams (entry, café, parties, memberships, private hire), costs, opening hours, staffing and a cash buffer. Lenders and landlords will ask for it.
- Building search. Look for clear ceiling height for a multi-level frame, open floor space without many columns, parking, and access for buggies. Industrial units and retail units are common.
- Planning and use class. Check with the local planning authority whether the building's use class allows a children's play centre or whether you need a change of use. Do this before you sign a lease.
- Play frame design and quotes. A commercial play frame is designed and installed by a specialist to BS EN 1176-10 (the standard for fully enclosed play equipment). Get two or three quotes based on your actual floor plan.
- Fit-out. Toilets and baby change, café kitchen, flooring, lighting, heating and ventilation, reception and storage.
- Compliance. Fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, risk assessments under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, food business registration with your council at least 28 days before trading, and public and employer's liability insurance.
- Staff and training. Recruit, run checks where needed, and train on safety, cleaning, first aid and incident recording.
- Soft launch, then open. Run a friends-and-family day to test flow, the till and the café before opening to the public.
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Your council, insurer and fire risk assessor will tell you what applies to your specific building.
How long does it take to open a soft play centre?
Expect many months rather than weeks. The slow parts are usually finding the building, planning permission if a change of use is needed, and the lead time for designing, making and installing a play frame. Fit-out can run alongside frame manufacture once the design is fixed. Build in a buffer: delays with the lease or planning are common, and you'll be paying rent before you take any money.
What does it cost to open a soft play centre?
We won't give a single number, because it depends on the building, its condition and the size of the frame. Instead, here are the cost areas to get quotes for:
| Cost area | What it covers | How to price it |
|---|---|---|
| Building | Rent, deposit, business rates, service charge | Agent and council (rates) |
| Play frame | Design, manufacture, installation, inspection | Two or three specialist quotes |
| Fit-out | Toilets, kitchen, flooring, lighting, heating | Builder or fit-out contractor |
| Loose equipment | Toddler foam pieces, ball pits, balls, seating | Supplier price lists |
| Compliance | Fire risk assessment, insurance, signage | Assessor and insurer quotes |
| Running costs | Staff, utilities, cleaning, card fees, marketing | Your business plan |
Loose equipment is the part we can price for you now. Balls are sold in boxes of 750 at £142.50, dropping to 16.5p per ball at 14 boxes (see bulk ball pit balls). Toddler-zone foam sets in our soft play sets collection start from around £160, and a full party soft play set is £1,549.95, which some centres use for party rooms or a separate baby area.
How do you plan the layout?
Layout drives both safety and income: where the café sits, how parents see their children, and how the party rooms connect. We've written about this separately, so see our guides to soft play centre layout and space per child and soft play centre design principles.
What marketing ideas increase soft play bookings?
- Google Business Profile: accurate hours, photos of the play areas and café, and replies to reviews. Many families find centres through "soft play near me".
- Toddler and baby sessions: quieter weekday morning sessions for under-3s fill the hours that are otherwise slow.
- Party packages: clear, fixed prices with what's included. Parties are booked weeks ahead, which helps cash flow.
- SEN or quiet sessions: reduced music and numbers. See how centres run SEN sessions.
- Memberships or multi-visit passes for regular local families.
- Local partnerships: nurseries, childminders, antenatal groups and schools for term-time and holiday offers.
- Social media: short videos of the play frame and café, events, and staff introductions. Ask permission before filming any child.
Do you need a soft play consultant?
Not always. Many play frame manufacturers include layout design in their quote, and an experienced fit-out contractor can handle the building. A consultant can help if you've never run a hospitality business, need a business plan for a lender, or want an independent view on a frame design. Ask what they've delivered before, and whether they're paid by you or by a manufacturer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to open a soft play centre?
There isn't a specific soft play licence, but you'll need food business registration if you serve food, possibly planning permission for change of use, and possibly a premises licence if you sell alcohol or hold certain events. Check with your council.
Which standard applies to the play frame?
BS EN 1176-10 covers fully enclosed play equipment. Your frame supplier should design and install to it, and the frame should have a post-installation inspection. See our explainer on EN 71 vs BS EN 1176-10.
Can you supply the play frame?
We don't design or install multi-level frames. We supply balls, ball pits, foam play sets and seating, and we work with venues through our trade programme. Email info@softplaymarket.co.uk with your floor plan for a quote on loose equipment.