Nothing ruins a family shopping trip quicker that a grumpy child who wants to go home. Not every child loves a day out shopping for new school shoes or watching mum and dad look at new phone cases.

Finding different ways to attract and keep young families entertained while they are shopping in one of our schemes is an important objective for us. If we find the right solutions this can help increase footfall, extend shopping trips and enhance the customer experience.

We have found three great operators to work with and brought in Playbox, Kidsbury Play and Wonder to our centres in Enfield, Tunbridge Wells and Fareham respectively.

These businesses are focused on the educational development of children (up to the age of 7) through role play. They create worlds of imagination for children to explore and have fun – all while under the watchful eye of the parents as they relax with a well earned coffee from the in-house cafes.

The customer response to these openings has been fantastic and, who knows, the fond childhood memories these play spaces create may just bring the adults of the future back for more shopping and days out with their own little ones.