Media Release: Ollie’s Playland Offers Refurbished Play Facility In Perfect Time For Summer
Poole, Dorset – Wednesday, August 4, 2010; Ollie’s Playland, located in the Dolphin Shopping Centre, recently underwent a programme of light refurbishments in perfect time for the summer season and the award-winning children’s play facility is now seeking feedback from its visitors to help develop a new sensory play area.
The small family business recently closed for a week so that partners Mark Painter and Alison Tuffs could personally undertake the scheduled improvements, including re-painting of the facility’s welcoming reception area and the installation of new lighting. One of the main improvements to the unique play facility was the introduction of a new sensory area, aimed at children aged between 13 months and four years and visitors with special needs. Although in its infancy, the area features new toys designed to stimulate sight, sound and feel, partly funded by the generosity of Ollie’s customers who donated nearly £300 in recent months. The funds raised were doubled by Mark and Alison who aim to continue development of the sensory area for the benefit of Ollie’s visitors. Mark Painter commented: “It was a bold step to take the decision to close Ollie’s in order that Alison and I could complete the majority of refurbishment work ourselves but we are delighted with the results. “We had hoped to build a dedicated sensory room but projected costs were in the thousands and regrettably well beyond the reach of a small family business like Ollie's. We were unable to secure any grant funding but we were determined not to be put off and so we decided to create a small sensory area within our existing play space. “We don’t want to charge our visitors extra for using the sensory area – we very much see it as an additional facility at Ollie’s specially created for our younger visitors and those with special needs. “This is just the start and we plan to expand the area in the coming months. The feedback from our visitors so far has been positive but to develop this important area we’re looking for lots of ideas from our customers on the improvements they would like to see.” Ollie’s staff are already planning fundraising activities to help purchase even better equipment for the sensory area, including a ‘bring and buy’ sale in August that will offer good quality toys, CDs and clothing. For further details visit www.olliesplayland.co.uk Ollie’s will also be helping to support the Dolphin Shopping Centre’s programme of free family fun Escape the Midday Sun events. Children’s favourite Ollie the Dinosaur will be taking trips around the shopping centre on Fridays during the school summer holidays, to meet and give away free lollies to his young fans (while stocks last). Mark added: “I know Ollie is really looking forward to helping support the Dolphin Shopping Centre’s Escape the Midday Sun events and to venturing out into the shopping centre to meet lots of new fans on Fridays throughout August.” For the full programme of Dolphin Shopping Centre Escape the Midday Sun free family events simply visit www.dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk -Ends- Notes to Editors Located in the heart of Poole, the Dolphin Shopping Centre offers an unrivalled choice of over 100 leading stores with excellent access, adjacent travel links and car parking. From leading high street brands to quality independent traders, the vast array of choice caters for every shopping need, from inspiring fashion for all the family to homeware and entertainment, giftwares, health and beauty, sports and leisure, banking and travel. Escape the Midday Sun – Summary programme of events • Poole Pottery Workshops: 10.30am-4.30pm on Sundays, August 8, 15, 22, 29 • Poole Pottery Master Potter: 10.30am-4.30pm on Sunday, August 15 • Silly Scott: Appearing 11am-3pm on Fridays, August 6, 13, 20, 27 • Peppa Pig and George: Appearing at 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm on Monday, August 30 For further information please contact the Dolphin Shopping Centre Press Office: Emma Spearing, Hazel PR Tel: +44 (0)1202 862411 Mobile: +44 (0)7736 341828 Email: emma.spearing@hazelpr.com
Tags: