General News
2 August, 2024
Kids Capers reopens to community's rejoice as search for buyer continues
Kids Capers indoor play centre reopens after a year closed down.
Horsham's indoor play centre Kids Capers has reopened on Friday, August 2, and the community rejoices as the local institution springs back to life.
Ahead of its return to business, Kids Capers owner Bernadette Dyer said it feels good to see the place up and running again.
"At the start of the week, I'd never thought it would happen, but we've had a pretty big week and it is really good to get it open," Ms Dyer said.
"There's been a good vibe around town, plenty of interest."
Ms Dyer said the facility has not changed from what the community loved before the business closed down.
"[It's] still the same facility," she said.
"We offer the same part packages, its exactly the same as it was."
The centre piece of Kids Capers equipment is a well-padded climbing structure, with a slide for kids to burn off their endless energy no matter the weather, while parents enjoy coffee and food.
"everyone brings their kids here," Ms Dyer said.
"We have some groups that meet here, that come to catch up, talk about new babies and everything, and they've got a safe place for kids to play."
Ms Dyer and her family have owned Kids Capers for 13 years, but closed it down in 2023 when commitments to other businesses around the city grew too great.
"We had three other business and something had to give, there was just too much on my plate," Ms Dyer said.
Ms Dyer put Kids Capers up for sale, but was unable to find a buyer.
While Ms Dyer is still intent on finding a buyer for Kids Capers, the sale of another of the family's businesses has given her time to invest in the play centre.
"We decided it was if we want to sell it, it needs to be open and running," she said.
"We'd like to see someone younger than us come in and buy it."
Despite her desire to move on, Ms Dyer said she has loved running Kids Capers and providing Horsham with the social space for young children and parents.
"You get to watch families grow up," she said.
"You have mums come with their first baby, and then you get the rest of the family come through and you get to know the kids and you get to know the families, it's really good."
After opening on Friday, August 2, Kids Capers will operate at it 29 Hamilton Road facility, Wednesday to Friday from 9:30am until 3pm, as well as from 10am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday.