Inflatabubble expansion plans unveiled for former industrial unit in Saltney

An inflatables playcentre could open in Flintshire to expand creating 20 new jobs if plans are given the go ahead.

Flintshire Council’s planning department has received a change of use application for a former industrial unit, Brymau Two, on River Lane in Saltney.

The proposal, from the team behind the popular Inflatabubble in Chester, is to change the use of the unit to indoor activity only with additional staff parking/cycle storage to be created at the back.

A planning statement submitted by agents FOB Design on behalf of the applicants states: “The vision is ’to get young people off screens and partake in fun physical active play’, in particular, the nine to 12 year age group who may feel they are becoming too old for soft play yet still requiring parental supervision.

“To achieve this, they would offer a range of indoor play equipment, primarily ‘inflatables’ to entertain a spectrum of ages and abilities.

“They have spent two years working with and listening to customers to hone what is beneficial and sought by the local young community. The applicants currently manage a smaller outlet at weekends in a school sports hall in Chester, Inflatabubble.”

The statement adds: “Unfortunately this is far from ideal for a number of reasons, not least the fact it takes three hours of time and six members of staff to make it look presentable on a Friday evening and the same to pack it away again at the end of each weekend.

“Despite the drawbacks, Inflatabubble has proven extremely successful with the applicants frequently having to turn away customers through a lack of infrastructure and capacity at the venue.

“They have consequently been looking for larger premises for a couple of years in which to find a permanent home for the facility.”

According to the application, a move to larger premises would enable the team to work more closely with those communities and the charities that support them.

They are also considering employing a qualified early years teacher to help run educational toddler sessions during term time and a new, bespoke sensory room.

On jobs creation, the planning statement adds: “The applicant is keen to emphasise that many of the new employment opportunities would be of good quality and with longer term prospects.

“Training, qualifications (such as NVQ) and personal / professional development are all critical to success and status within this challenging and competitive sector and it is hoped that this would be of particular attraction to younger applicants.”

A decision will be made on the application by Flintshire Council planners at a later date.

By Rory Sheehan – Local Democracy Reporter (more here).