Family play centre next attraction for Marine Point

Neptune has agreed a long-term deal with a children's play centre operator at its £60m Marine Point development in New Brighton, Wirral.

The £1.8m family entertainment centre, Bubbles' World of Play, operated by Gloplay, will occupy 21,000 sq ft in the Lido Building. Gloplay signed a 25-year lease on the site at an annual rent of £125,000.

The target markets will be families with children up to ten years old, parties, mother and toddler groups, schools, and special needs groups.

The concept is centred on a large play frame, five tiers tall, with a total play area of 8,100 sq ft – room for more than 420 children to play safely and comfortably.

Developed to promote learning through play, the frame is themed as a journey through a 'world of play'. Young explorers entering the building start at an airport-style check-in desk, before visiting more than 30 different countries and zones, each with its own theme and educational relevance.

The design features different cultures, geography, science and nature, offering a variety of challenges to youngsters. There will also be a Wild West-themed cannon zone, a space rocket climb from the ground to the roof of the building, and a separate area where children can act out being shop-keepers, vets, police officers, mechanics, builders and more. This key area is designed to stimulate the creativity of young minds while providing an opportunity for parents to get involved in play activities with their children.

Graham Robinson, managing director of Soft Brick Company, the installer of the World of Play Frame, said: "The Soft Brick company will be building not only the largest play area in the UK but one we are confident will be described as 'The Best Play Area in the World'.

"This will be a benchmark site for the next decade. It's great news for us but also a real feather in the cap for Merseyside and the children of New Brighton."

There will also be extensive baby and toddler facilities, with baby-changing areas in each of the toilets, and a large baby and toddler section themed around New York, with its very own Central Park and skyscraper play areas.

There will be special classes for toddlers, a large baby sensory area and a baby feeding room complete with bottle-making facilities. There will be a check-in-and-out process to ensure the safety and security of the younger guests.

The site will also feature exclusive car parking with 90 spaces, four bespoke party rooms offering a variety of themes, high quality food and drink and a large area for outdoor activities.

Parents will be able to learn computing skills via multimedia training courses at its dedicated computer suite.

Daniel Hynd, project director of Neptune, said: "We are delighted to bring this key development to Marine Point. The face of New Brighton is changing, and Bubbles' World of Play will add an extra attraction to the estate, which the operators are hoping will draw more than 200,000 visits from across the North West."

• Leisure NW 2012, a Place event, Thursday 8 November, Marine Point