When catering assistant Ashley Edmond and chef Wayne Burrows came up with the idea of a mother-and-toddler coffee shop and play area, the managers at Van Hage Peterborough decided to back the proposal.

And now, nearly three months after the opening of Kids Zone, mums and their small children are flocking to the garden centre attraction. As well as becoming a popular meeting place, it can now hold children’s parties and half-term activities.

“Thanks to the Kids Zone, a visit to Van Hage Peterborough has become more of a social event for mums,” said catering manager Charlotte Butcher.

“It’s a great place for them to meet other mothers, and have a chat over a cup of coffee while their young children have fun in the soft play area."

The Kids Zone is located in the former Himalayas Coffee Shop inside the garden centre. The store already had a play area for children next to the main restaurant but it wasn’t big enough.

Ashley (pictured outside the soft play area) said: "We gave customers a survey to complete and It soon became clear that mothers would welcome a special coffee shop designed for them and their children.

"Philippa McKean looked in to the costs and feasibility and came up with the fantastic idea of a themed play area and coffee shop based on the Gruffalo.

"You can imagine how excited we felt when the managers at Van Hage decided to go ahead. With an agonising wait for the opening we started to prepare new menu ideas for adults and children."

There has been great feedback for the soft play area, which has an age limit (up to 5) and a height limit (children mustn’t exceed the height of the Gruffalo at the entrance to the feature).

“We’re finding the busiest time is when mothers have dropped off their older children at school and then travel here for a coffee and chat with like-minded mums. And their little ones can have a great time too,” added Ashley.

The Kids Zone ran a successful Children’s Club in half-term with lots of activities, including painting, plant pot decorating, growing cress and pizza making, and it plans to hold similar events in school holidays.

“The Kids Zone has been a great addition to the catering offering at Van Hage,” said Charlotte.

“As well as being a popular attraction in its own right, making full use of what used to be a fairly unused space in the garden centre, it has also allowed us to utilise the spot where the former small play area used to be. This is now being used as a more relaxed area off the main restaurant, with sofas and TV playing BBC 24-hour news.

“We’re really proud of the changes we are making here, and it’s fantastic when the company backs an idea from members of staff.”

For more information visit www.vanhage.co.uk