Runamok, Rossendale > Reviews (1)

When I heard a few years ago that there was to be a soft play centre opening up on the industrial estate in my town I was over the moon. I don’t drive and have a young son and this meant that there would be somewhere to take him that was in walking distance. This play centre was to be Runamok. It is situated on the Carrs Industrial Estate in Haslingden, Lancashire.

The centre is actually 12,000 square feet and is suitable for children around 11 years old-now of course when I say this I know we have all taken our children down the big slides haven’t we? Surely that isn’t just me!!!

Opening times

The centre is open from 9.30am-6pm Tuesday to Sunday.

How much does it cost?

Babies less than 12 months are free
Toddlers age 1-2 are £3.50
Infants age 2-3 are £4.00
Children aged 4-11 are £4.60

These prices are for a two hour session.

Now here begins my complaint with Runamok. As much as I, my friends and our children love the place we cannot visit very often as compared to some other soft play centres the prices for our 5 year olds are very high. I feel if there was a more level price for all children we would visit more often-especially when Runamok can get very busy at times.

When you first enter Runamok you are asked how old your child is and for your post code and surname. You are printed off a small ticket and on that has a number. This number correlates to where your child’s shoes are being stored which I think is a good system in theory although I am well aware that this system allows the owners to track who visits and how often! When you are leaving you can hand the ticket in or just tell the person behind the counter where your child’s shoes are.

So what things does Runamok have to go on?

There is a small section for babies’ ages up to one. This includes padded rockers, mirrors on the walls and a few toys. Parents really do need to sit with their child in this area as sadly some of the older more boisterous children sometimes bound into this area. There are signs up saying it is just for babies but obviously it is down to the individual parents to mind their children.

There is a toddler section which has a couple of crazy coupe cars which you can drive through the “garage” and pretend to fill up with petrol. Then there is also a smaller section which has a mini padded slide into the ball pool. Again there is a sign up to say this is for toddlers but you will sometimes find some of the younger pre school children seem to dive into there. Near this section there is also a Bob the Builder ride but I believe you need to pay 50p extra to have a go on that.

The main section of the play centre is for the older children and I really do think this part is fantastic. In this section there is a huge blue wavy slide which I have been on many times! Sometimes it can go very fast as well especially if you are wearing leggings!

There is a ball pool, a small aerial slide and a dark wavy tunnel slide. As you are finding these main attractions in the play centre there are padded stairs to climb, and little activities to do on the walls if children slow down enough to check them!

There is a climbing net as well. The wavy slide is certainly the main focus of the play centre and seemingly the part that all children head towards but as it has three “lanes” so to speak there is rarely much of a queue to go on it.

Then outside of the main frame there is a climbing wall which I believe is recommended for children aged 8 and over. Then there is a football area which has goals, padded footballs and holes up above the goals for target practice…yes I think this is another bit that the adults seem to love!

Food

Runamok does have a Café inside, called Café Barista which makes home made food and is open until 5pm for food orders. They serve things like sandwiches, jacket potatoes, wraps and pizza.

The price of the food in many cases is quite expensive I feel. It is around £1.80 for a child’s sandwich and this comes very basically with often just one cherry tomato and a piece of cucumber on the side!

Adult meals can cost around £5.00 but are generally more substantial.

You can also purchase hot drinks for around a couple of pounds.

Parties

A standard party at Runamok is £8.99 per head with an extra £1.50 per head if you want party bags. This consists of an hour play and 45 minutes in the specialist party centre.

In the party centre there are a few different rooms with princess themes or Cars themes etc.

We have only been to one party at Runamok and it didn’t go wonderfully so I am not sure I would recommend them for a party.

Other facilities

Runamok has toilets and baby changing facilities in both the male and female toilets.

They also have a beauty salon in there now which is run by an independent woman called Amanda Louise. I haven’t ever visited this part though so can’t really comment on the quality of that but I believe she offers manicures and such like.

Summary

In summary I think Runamok is a great place to take your children for them to let off steam and have a good time. It can be great fun too if you want to run around after your child whilst they play! I would probably just suggest that you don’t make a habit of eating there as although the food it normally lovely, it will bump the cost of your visit up.

The owners of the play centre are friendly and will often have a little chat to customers as they go about their work. They often arrange charity events which are supported by the ex Manchester United player Phil Neville and his wife. You pay extra to get into these events and they are often very busy so as such I have never been to one but I think it is a great idea.

Runamok can get very busy at the weekends and during the school holidays. I have found that the best time to visit is either first thing in the morning or for the last couple of hours before they shut as these seem to be the quieter times.

It would be nice if the admission prices were a little lower too but for the odd day out I really recommend Runamok.

Also been posted on Dooyoo