The acquisition was a retirement sale from the founders, Geoff and Lesley Fallows, who have operated the business since 2013.

The business 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.

River Capital provided a six figure loan through the North West Business Growth Loan Fund to support the purchase. 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.

The 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, incoming Director, Play Away Children’s Playcentre

“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.

We’re grateful to River Capital for backing us on this, it’s exactly the kind of support that makes a deal like this possible.

Chris Carter, Investment Manager, 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. That experience matters when you’re taking on a business and looking to grow it.

The business growth loan fund exists to back transactions like 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”.

ENDS