Happy Hours

This is the first time I’ve felt compelled to write a review, or tocomment on another persons view. However, I feel that I must inject somebalance into this particular one. I accidentally came across this review last week, whilst searching forprices for a forthcoming birthday party we intend to have at Happy Hours. I visit there fairly regularly, being a registered child minder with myown four year old son and three other children ranging from two to fouryears of age. I originally found it via
and have been attending for abouttwelve months now. I’ve seen the ‘so-​called’ hoodies popping in and out to order toastedsandwiches. They are so intimidating that the have actually folded up andcarried in a twin push chair which I use for the two year old kids. They’ve done this on two occasions. They may be hoodies, but I don’t feelthreatened by local youngsters who come, most likely, from normalfamilies. It’s not a gangland uniform, after all, for the majority of bigkids and even some adults, it’s just convenient weather-​proof clothing,(MUCH NEEDED THIS SUMMER!!). I consider that it’s most unfair to describe the place as dirty, or thetoys as grubby. It is obviously showing signs of usage. I understand ithas been operating for over ten years and its condition is still, in myview, quite satisfactory. Also, the fabric covers on some of the ride-​ontoys are often soiled (No, not with that — just dribbles and generalcontact with kids clothing and dirty fingers). However I have noticedstaff removing covers and replacing them with others, which indicates thatthey are obviously laundered from time to time. I cannot understand the comments regarding the toilets because I amcertain (CHECKED YESTERDAY for my own satisfaction before leaving thisentry) there are two separate toilet areas for boys and girls (men andwomen). They are both accessed through a common entrance and both haveouter and inner doors and separate washing facilities. Furthermore, on novisit have I ever noticed a missing toilet seat. I did spot yesterdaythat a plug was missing from the sink in the boys hand basin. I mentionedthis to Sharon, who works there and she said she would get the boss to seeto it. The steps to the ball pool are a little steep, but not high, only aroundtwo feet or thereabouts, so with a little parental assistance the smallestof kids can cope with them. Even if they do take a tumble, it would be noworse than a minor fall at home, whilst clambering around. The only complementary comments regarding the food area and staff, I agreewith. However, it is noticeable that the reviewer’s comments regardingcleanliness of the former seem to be rather begrudged, as if she wouldhave liked more time to have managed to find some fault with that. I’ll be continuing to go to Happy Hours, but may easily have been put-​offby this review. I’m glad I didn’t see it first.