SME funding specialist River Capital backs acquisition of soft play centre in Aintree with six-figure loan and the new owners plan to hire more staff and expand services. Tony McDonough reports
A trio of investors have acquired Aintree soft play centre Play Away Children’s Playcentre after securing a six-figure loan via River Capital in Liverpool.
River Capital’s North West Business Growth Loan Fund is providing funding to Luke Fitzsimmons, Ryan Nevols, and Ian Milner, three Liverpool based professionals who between them bring experience spanning financial services, legal, and construction.
This acquisition was a retirement sale from the founders, Geoff and Lesley Fallows, who have operated the business since 2013.
Play Away serves children aged 18 months to seven years and runs seven days a week from a 10,000 sq ft site next to Aintree retail park, offering soft play, trampolines, a ninja assault course, and party rooms.
The funding will also support a programme of improvements to the venue and includes an upgraded café, refreshed play facilities, new marketing activity, and the introduction of themed events and toddler sessions.
Its 12-strong team, including two senior managers who have been with the business since its inception, will remain with Play Away with the new owners planning to recruit three additional members of staff within the first year.
Luke Fitzsimmons said: “Play Away is already a well-loved part of the local community, families trust it, and the staff know the business inside out.
“Our job is to build on that and to improve the experience, introduce some new ideas, and make it somewhere parents genuinely want to spend time, not just drop their kids off.”
READ MORE: Cornwall firm acquires Cammell Laird shipyard
READ MORE: What makes a fundable business?
Chris Carter, investment manager at River Capital, added: “This is a business that has served its community well for over a decade.
“The new team brings real commercial credibility and between them they’ve managed high value client portfolios, led complex projects, and navigated regulated environments.
“The Business Growth Loan Fund exists to back transactions such as this, acquisitions that protect existing jobs, bring in ambitious new ownership, and have a clear plan for growth. Play Away ticks all of those boxes”.