New play café features mini versions of town's best-loved businesses

FROM the youngest, just three months old, to grandmas and grandads - every member of the family has been involved in creating The Square Play Cafe in Beeston.

- By LYNETTE PINCHESS

Whether it’s children testing out the equipment, or adults building, baking and cleaning, it is a full-on family affair.

The new venture, which has its own mini version of some of the town’s popular businesses, opened its doors on Saturday.

The brain behind it, Christina Ashley, has drawn on her own experience as a mum-of-two to design the play area.

She will be running it with her mum Rachel Foster and mother-in-law Jackie Ashley.

The 33-year-old, whose daughters and aged four and six, said: “I had a very clear vision. It’s been five years now I’ve been thinking about something similar to this and my husband said after Christmas, when I was still talking about it, do it or stop talking about it, so here we are.

“I wanted to get the nice mix where you can relax and socialise as a parent but somewhere you can fully see your children at all times, without the busyness of soft play with a calmer atmosphere and nice vibe.”

The play cafe is designed for children ranging from babies up to kids of eight.