Firm News

PRESS  RELEASE

June 25 2009

Take off for revolutionary play project

WHILE most astrophysicists are helping to plan flights into space, Aaron Wagg is launching a much more down to earth business.

The Cardiff University astrophysics graduate is about to light the touch paper on his second child play business in Cardiff.  Both, he says, offer a play and social experience unique in the UK.

His new project – Parc All Weather Play – is backed with a £400,000 investment, and follows the highly successful Café Junior venture. Both offer a new type of environment which can be enjoyed by both parents and their children at the same time.

The funding package was raised by South Wales accountants BPU. Nick Toye of BPU said: “Aaron is an experienced entrepreneur who is skilled at turning original ideas into business reality. We are confident this will prove a great success and add to Cardiff’s social fabric.”

The funding package comprises £120,000 from HSBC, £150,000 from Finance Wales and private capital from the directors.

It is also hoped that Parc will also become a venue for corporate entertaining with a difference.

Aaron hit on the need for somewhere for parents to take their youngsters a number of years ago. “It seemed to me that when you have a baby you can go and have a coffee and meet other parents in many places. But when the child starts crawling, there is nowhere you can go. This was the idea behind Café Junior.”

“Parc will offer children a ‘five star’ play environment, and their parents can eat and drink and relax, and get to know one another in a friendly atmosphere,” said Aaron.

Parc All Weather Play and will create five jobs. It boasts the very best play equipment made by German manufacturers Eibe, predominantly made of wood, and will cater for 1 – 12 year olds. Up to 400 parents and kids will be able to use Parc at any one time.

The  all-weather experience is an important aspect of the new business, and one of its unique features. It has an outdoor area for fine days, a semi-covered section for days when the weather is not so good, and a substantial part is indoors.

“We are able to cope with any weather, and still offer the full play experience to the youngsters,” said Aaron.

After running Café Junior in Cathays for five years, Aaron was looking for ways to develop the business concept to cater for older children and their families. “I happened to be looking at a catalogue from the play equipment manufacturers, Eibe, and it started a chain of thought.  I was struck by the quality and sophistication of their products, and I realized that this was the way to develop the Café Junior idea.”

The Eibe equipment is predominantly wooden and made to the most exacting standards and designs, for maximum effect.

Admission is strictly for parents with their children – unattended youngsters are not allowed. Families are encouraged to bring their own picnics, and Parc will offer a basic café service of drinks and snacks. A Parc Ranger is on continuous duty to keep an eye on safety and behaviour issues.  

As well as families, it will be available for hire for parties, special events and corporate entertaining.

HSBC has been delighted to provide funding support. Jane Graves of HSBC commented: “As the ‘World’s local bank’, HSBC is committed to helping local Welsh businesses achieve their full potential.
 
“We were pleased to be able to provide part of the funding for this exciting project. We have worked with Aaron before and his track record in this sector speaks for itself.”

Matthew Pugh of Finance Wales said: “Parc Play demonstrates Finance Wales’ commitment to funding businesses with growth ambitions.  The indoor/outdoor concept is an innovative one which we are confident will capture the imagination of children and parents alike.”

Aaron is pleased with the location of the new business on Curran Embankment. “We are very close to the city centre, and it is nice to be on the river. A new riverbus stop is planned nearby and this will be a great benefit to the business and the local area.”

The site has ample parking of its own, and there is also plenty of space on Taff Embankment, just across the river. Parc will be launched on July 1st.

Ends