Opening a soft play centre can be a big investment, so one of the first questions for any new operator is usually: how much is it actually going to cost?The cost of starting a soft play business in the UK can vary significantly depending on the size of the venue, location, equipment, fit-out and the type of experience you want to create.Getting a realistic idea of those costs early on makes it much easier to plan your budget, understand how much funding you may need and avoid unexpected costs further into the project.At Johnson Reed, we regularly help businesses finance soft play equipment and other assets involved in opening, expanding and upgrading leisure venues.Here, we break down some of the main costs to consider when opening a soft play centre in the UK.
What Does It Cost to Start a Soft Play Business in the UK?
There isn’t one set figure for opening a soft play centre.A smaller venue with a relatively simple play structure will naturally cost less than a large multi-level centre with party rooms, a café and additional attractions.As a broad guide, the total investment can easily run into tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds once you factor in premises, fit-out, equipment and the cash needed to get the business through its first few months.Rather than looking at one large figure, it can be more useful to split your budget into the main areas of the project.
These are likely to include:
- Premises and fit-out
- Soft play equipment
- Flooring and safety equipment
- Café or kitchen equipment
- Furniture
- Staffing
- Insurance
- Marketing
- Working capital
Premises and Fit-Out Costs
Finding the right premises is one of the biggest early decisions when opening a soft play centre.Converted warehouses, leisure units and retail park premises are often well suited to soft play because they can offer the floor space, ceiling height and parking needed for a larger leisure venue.Alongside rent and business rates, you’ll also need to consider the cost of getting the unit ready to open.
Depending on the condition of the premises, this could include:
- Flooring
- Lighting
- Electrical work
- Heating and ventilation
- Toilets
- Fire safety work
- Café or kitchen areas
- Reception and seating areas
- Signage
- General refurbishment
Ceiling height is particularly important when choosing a unit. Larger multi-level soft play frames require plenty of vertical space, so it is worth speaking to your equipment supplier before committing to a property.The layout of the building can have a major impact on both the equipment you can install and the overall cost of the project.
Soft Play Equipment and Play Structures
For many new soft play businesses, the equipment itself will be one of the biggest parts of the initial investment.
This could include:
- Multi-level soft play frames
- Slides
- Ball pits
- Climbing equipment
- Toddler areas
- Sensory equipment
- Interactive play features
- Seating and furniture
Bespoke soft play structures are often designed around the size and shape of the premises, allowing operators to make better use of the available space and create something distinctive.Separate toddler areas are also common within modern soft play centres, giving younger children their own space away from larger play structures.The final equipment cost will depend on the size of the centre, the complexity of the design and the supplier you choose.
Financing Soft Play Equipment
Because soft play equipment can represent such a large part of the overall start-up cost, many operators choose to finance the equipment rather than pay for everything upfront.Soft play equipment finance allows the cost of eligible assets to be spread over an agreed term.
For a new soft play centre, finance could potentially be used towards assets such as:
- Soft play frames and structures
- Slides and play equipment
- Café equipment
- Furniture
- Flooring
- EPOS systems
- Other eligible equipment and fit-out assets
for other costs involved in getting the business open, such as rent, staffing, marketing and working capital.It can also allow operators to invest in the equipment they actually want for the venue rather than designing the entire project around the cash available on day one.
Staffing, Insurance and Running Costs
Opening the doors is only part of the budget.You’ll also need enough cash available to cover the ongoing running costs of the business while customer numbers build.
Typical costs include:
- Staff wages
- Rent and business rates
- Utilities
- Insurance
- Cleaning
- Repairs and maintenance
- Marketing
- Software and booking systems
- Stock for any café or food offering
Staffing requirements will depend heavily on the size of the venue, opening hours and how busy the centre becomes.Weekends, school holidays and birthday party bookings can all create significantly busier periods, so it is worth building these peaks into your forecasts.Insurance should also be considered early in the planning process. Soft play operators will typically need appropriate business insurance for the venue, its staff and customers, with the exact cover depending on the individual business and premises.A realistic cash flow forecast can be particularly important for a new venue, as it may take time for bookings and repeat customers to build.
Café and Party Areas
For many soft play businesses, the play equipment isn’t the only investment.Cafés, seating areas and dedicated party rooms can all form an important part of the overall customer experience.
That can mean budgeting for additional equipment such as:
- Commercial coffee machines
- Refrigeration
- Kitchen equipment
- Tables and chairs
- Counters
- Party room furniture
- EPOS and payment systems
Although these areas add to the initial project cost, they can also give the business additional ways to generate revenue beyond general admission.
Marketing and Launch Costs
Marketing is another cost worth including in the budget from the beginning rather than adding it at the end.
For a new soft play centre, this could include:
- Website development
- Social media advertising
- Local advertising
- Signage
- Photography and video
- Launch events
- Introductory offers
- Partnerships with local schools, nurseries and businesses
Building awareness before opening can help generate interest and bookings early on.Good photography and video of the finished venue can also give you plenty of content to use across your website, social media and paid advertising once the centre is open.
Choosing the Right Funding for a Soft Play Centre
The right way to finance a soft play business will depend on what you’re funding and whether you’re opening your first venue, expanding an existing business or upgrading an established centre.
Equipment finance
For many new soft play centres, equipment finance will be the natural starting point.Rather than paying for eligible equipment and assets upfront, the cost can be spread over an agreed term.This could include the main soft play structure alongside other assets going into the venue, depending on the project and lender.For a new operator, this can make the overall opening cost much more manageable and help preserve cash for areas that cannot be financed in the same way.
Business loans
A business loan may be more appropriate where funding is needed for wider business costs rather than individual pieces of equipmentFor example, an established soft play operator opening a second location may use equipment finance for the assets going into the new site while considering a business loan for other expansion costs or working capital.
In some cases, using more than one type of funding can make more sense than trying to fund the entire project through a single facility.
Equipment refinancing
Existing soft play operators may also be able to use equipment refinancing to release capital from equipment or assets the business already owns.
This can provide additional cash for refurbishment, expansion, replacement equipment or other business costs without necessarily needing to sell existing assets.
Growth Guarantee Scheme
Depending on the business and lender, funding may also be available through the Growth Guarantee Scheme.
The scheme can support different types of business finance, including asset finance and term lending, where the relevant eligibility and lender criteria are met.
It isn’t a separate type of finance that every business will need, and the lender will decide whether the scheme is appropriate for a particular application.
Funding a New Soft Play Business
Funding a completely new soft play centre is slightly different from financing an established business.Lenders will usually want to understand the full project rather than looking at the equipment cost in isolation.
This can include things such as:
- Your business plan
- Experience of the people behind the business
- The premises
- Equipment quotations
- Project costs
- Cash contribution
- Forecast revenue
- Expected running costs
Having clear figures and supplier quotations available can make the funding process much easier.At Johnson Reed, we can look at the equipment being purchased alongside the wider project and help identify suitable finance options from our panel of lenders.
How Long Does It Take a Soft Play Business to Become Profitable?
There isn’t a standard timeframe.
How quickly a soft play centre becomes profitable will depend on factors including location, rent, customer numbers, pricing, competition and how much the business has invested upfront.A centre in an area with strong demand and relatively little competition may build its customer base more quickly than one entering an already crowded market.
Repeat visits can also make a significant difference.Memberships, birthday parties, school holiday activities and events can all help encourage customers to return and provide additional sources of revenue throughout the year.This is why building realistic forecasts before opening is so important. Your projections should allow for both busy periods and quieter months rather than assuming the centre will operate at full capacity from day one.
Bringing the Soft Play Budget Together
Opening a soft play centre involves much more than simply buying the play equipment.Premises, fit-out, furniture, staffing, marketing and working capital all need to be considered alongside the main play structure.Breaking those costs down individually makes it much easier to understand where finance could be used and how much cash you may need to contribute yourself.For many new soft play businesses, financing the equipment and other eligible assets can remove a significant upfront cost from the project.Established operators may have additional options available if they are expanding, opening another venue or refinancing equipment they already ownIf you’re planning a soft play project, Johnson Reed can help you explore suitable funding options and understand what could potentially be financed.
Speak to Johnson Reed about financing your soft play centre or explore more business finance guides on the Johnson Reed blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start a soft play business in the UK?
There is no fixed cost. The total investment will depend on the size and location of the premises, the play equipment chosen, fit-out requirements and how much working capital the business needs. A large bespoke venue can require a significantly higher investment than a smaller soft play concept.
What is the biggest cost when opening a soft play centre?
For many operators, the main soft play structure and the premises fit-out will be two of the largest costs. The exact split will depend on the condition of the property and the specification of the equipment.
Can I finance soft play equipment?
Yes. Soft play equipment finance can be used to spread the cost of eligible equipment and assets over an agreed term, subject to status and lender approval.
Can I get finance to start a soft play business?
Funding may be available for new-start soft play businesses, although lenders will normally consider the overall project, the people behind the business, the amount being invested and the assets being purchased.
Equipment finance is often one of the main options for financing the assets required to open the centre.
Can finance cover the fit-out of a soft play centre?
Some equipment and fit-out items may be eligible for asset finance depending on what is being purchased and the lender involved.
Other costs may need to be funded separately, which is why it can be useful to look at the full project rather than simply the cost of the play structure.
Can I finance a second soft play site?
Yes, subject to status and lender approval. An established operator opening another location may use equipment finance for the assets going into the venue and potentially other types of business funding for wider expansion costs.
What size premises do I need for a soft play centre?
There is no standard size. The right premises will depend on the concept, equipment design, expected visitor numbers and additional facilities such as cafés and party rooms.
Ceiling height, parking and the overall layout can be just as important as the total floor area.
