Lincoln mum fears impact of new trampoline park on her family-run soft play business

A Lincoln mum who owns a family-run soft play centre in the city is worried about the impact a new trampoline park may have on her business. Stephanie Bellamy, 29, is a mum-of-two who has lived in Lincoln her whole life.

In January this year, she opened Krazy Kids Lincoln soft play with support from her husband, Ryan, and it has gone from strength to strength. The soft play centre, which is located on Crofton Close in the Allenby Industrial Estate, hosts parties and sessions for children all at a reasonable price.

Stephanie had the idea of opening the soft play centre because there had never been anything like it at that end of the city. She said: "It's always been something that I thought would work and I wanted to do, but I was never in a position to do it.

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"It got to the point where there was delay after delay and we just had to get open. It was something that was in the back of our mind so we thought 'let's just do it and if we don't do it now then someone else will'. We did it all ourselves. My husband is a builder and joiner, and he did everything in here."

After a tough and stressful time getting the business up and running, Stephanie has now developed a strong customer base. However, large company Bounce Central have plans to open a trampoline and soft play site at the Carlton Centre in July which she fears may draw some customers away.

She said: "I think it will affect the business at first because it's new and everyone will want to go there. But we'll always be here. People like it here because you can see your children at all times which is good for smaller kids.

"I put everything I had into it and it's been a big change for the family. Hopefully people can tell how much effort we've put into it. We do have a lot of regular customers which is really nice. It's nice to chat with the parents and catch up with them.

"You can't help but worry, but everything happens for a reason and I'm sure it will be ok. If people want somewhere quieter, more personal and to support a small family business then we're always open."

James Fearn, managing director of Bounce Central, said: "As parents of three young children, we understand the importance of having a variety of activities to keep them entertained. Our existing two parks in Manchester, run alongside other a number of different family leisure experiences across the Manchester area.

"Having conducted research in to the population and demographic within Lincoln, we are confident that this will also be the case here. We very much look forward to becoming part of the community."

Krazy Kids Lincoln is open from 9.30am to 3pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30am to 5pm on Friday. On the weekends, it is open from 10am to 4pm. Bookings can be made via info@krazykidslincoln.com or 01522 581625.