Small & Mighty play hub
Small & Mighty Play hub is a start-up business providing several play areas for children under 8 to play, learn and grow with climbing based structures, soft baby sensory space, role play and a craft area with a family café and ice cream shop in the summer.
Set up in Godalming High Street and opened in May 2024, it provides a unique space where parents can supervise their children playing whilst having a drink or working, using the charging points at the tables.
The Play Hub also offers private hire, whether it be for private classes, baby sign language classes or birthday parties and, on Thursdays, will provide children with a free hot meal after school.
Rural England Prosperity Fund project
The business was awarded Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) grant to purchase equipment required for the new project, including the climbing equipment, games, safety flooring and wall coverings for each of the play areas, in order to create the best possible space for children to flourish through interactive and educational child-led play.
"I'd seen a need for a family-focused space on the high street where both children and adults could enjoy spending time together. Being part of the local parent community, I knew the ideal setting would be a more modern take on the traditional soft play, where the materials were more sustainable, utilising modern interior design and play features like sensory lighting and interactive technology to bring a future-focused longevity to the space. This was also a commercial aspiration, as I felt the quality of the equipment would create value for visitors and would encourage loyalty amongst discerning parents and hopefully, warrant the higher range of the average entry fee for these venues. Had I not been awarded the grant; I wouldn't have been able to bring that same quality of equipment, or venue to the community. This would have been both disappointing to the community, but would also have put us in a challenging position commercially. Fortunately, we were very supported by the team managing the grant application process who were instrumental in guiding us on our application and our success in achieving the much-needed grant which we are so grateful for." said Gillian from Small & Mighty.
Project impact
The REPF grant funded the purchase and installation of play equipment with a focus on bringing the outside in through natural materials like timber, cork matts and eco fabric for the main play area, the baby and toddler area, the arts and crafts area and the role play area with soft matts, to create enriching, calming environments.
The business had already grown their social following by 500% just before launch, validating their research that there is a target market of young families and very little available locally for them.
They have also been approached by Surrey based businesses looking to provide everything from baked goods to baby sign language and yoga classes and are in active discussions with all of these businesses regarding either supplier agreements or class provider agreements so the projects will also be benefitting the local employment market and local businesses.
Project costs, grant awarded, and job created
Climbing equipment, games, safety flooring and wall coverings for each of the play areas.
Total project cost: £106,483
Grant awarded: £50,000
Jobs created: 5.5 Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
Are you eligible for a Rural England Prosperity Fund grant for your project?
Inspired? Would your project be eligible for a Rural England Prosperity Fund grant? Could you get up to £50,000 and up to 50% of your capital costs with Rural England Prosperity Fund grant? Find out about the Rural England Prosperity Fund.
