A play centre in Gateshead is reopening with a significant upgrade after securing investment from the North East Small Loan Fund.
Michael and Samantha Taylor, owners of Mister Twister’s Jump Centre in Follingsby Park, have made improvements to the centre’s play equipment, catering facilities and booking systems, as well as opening an Ofsted-approved nursery for up to 50 children on the site.
The couple worked with regional fund management firm NEL Fund Managers to secure a £75,000 Small Loan Fund investment and are expecting to create up to 15 jobs, with more to follow as the business grows.
The centre opened its doors last week after the latest easing of coronavirus restrictions.
As well as re-fitting its kitchen and repairing its life, the centre has plans to add new play facilities and increase the number of places at its nursery. It is also hoping to offer sleepover parties.
Mr Taylor said: “When we took it over, the centre clearly needed a fair bit of attention across the board, and we’ve been working ever since to make improvements and add exciting new facilities that have really changed the atmosphere for the better.
“All the work we’ve done has been designed to give kids the best possible play experience in a location that their parents, grandparents and families will be happy to spend their time too, and the feedback we’ve had so far has been really encouraging.
“With the space we have available, the nursery is a natural development of our service and we think there is a lot of local potential to make more places available in the fairly near future.
Most Read
“We’ve got many more plans in place to keep adding to the centre’s play offering and can’t wait to show families old and new everything that we can now offer them.
“NEL are focused on creating and maintaining jobs in the North East, which is what we’re looking to do as well, and the investment team made applying for this capital an almost seamless process.”
Mike Guellard, investment executive at NEL Fund Managers, said: “Mister Twister’s is a great North East family brand and the improvements that Michael and Samantha have created a venue that customers of all ages will enjoy visiting again and again.”
Part of the £120m North East Fund, the £9m North East Small Loan Fund offers loans of between £10,000 and £100,000 to businesses in Tyne & Wear, Durham and Northumberland.
It is designed to assist with the creation of over 1,200 new regional jobs in more than 320 SMEs over the life of the fund.