The Play Station — Local services in Birmingham

It seemed like an amazing place where the kids could have a lot of fun, so I decided to sign up for an 8 session membership as I was staying in Birmingham for a month.

The first day I went there everything was lovely. However, everything went downhill after that.

The second session it was extremely cold as there was no heating in the building and we didn't really enjoy it at all. I requested the session to be refunded but the staff ignored me for a while but I insisted and didn't take no for an answer.

It wasn't just me, a lot of the parents also complained about the lack of heating and they to demanded a refund.

I asked the staff whether I could use my remaining membership for the toddler sessions that they offered, which included breakfast. They said Yes.

So as planned the third time I went to the toddler session. When we arrived the staff were cleaning certain sections of the play area and the floor was still wet which is hazard waiting to happen.

The breakfast menu included a panini and tea for the adults and a juice and biscuit for the toddlers. However when we requested our breakfasts we were told their was no panini available. They offered us a cake as an alternative which was really disappointing.

On the fourth day we went to the toddler session and yet again we had a problem with the breakfast. Not only did they not have panini but the staff said sorry no breakfast for the tolders. I was shocked; they're advertising something but not providing it.

The fifth session we had a conflict with the staff yet again. They still didn't have any paninis for breakfast. So as an aternative a female member of staff gave us a cake but she made a slight comment saying that we should be grateful.

Furthermore she also said and I quote "if there's no panini then we don't give out anything". At this point I was really baffled at why they're advertising a service that they do not provide and then have the audacity to make rude comments.

When I challenged the member of staff she also said "don't come back again if you're always complaining" bear in mind I still have three sessions left with them. I told her directly I would'nt complain if you provided the service you advertised, she then walked away and completely blanked us. Feeling bad she came to her senses 10-minutes later and apologised and said this is not our fault it's the manager's fault. She agreed that the manager should not offer a service that they don't provide.

The customer services at this place is terrible. The staff don't know their roles. They just freestyling and on some occasions they just leave the building leaving the parents and tolders alone. The morning staff need to go on a training course especially the one the staff manager who has really bad customer service.

Also the hygiene is disgusting, they only clean occasionally. In one of the session's there was juice everywhere on the floor and my son almost slipped on it.

We reported it twice to the staff but they were to busy having a conversation amongst themselves instead of cleaning the hazard right away. When I challenged them, they made an excuse saying the night staff did not clean it properly.

Also, the toddler car's have broken wheels which need replacing, It's currently just there...

This place is lovely however more suitable for older kids than the youngsters.

Too many wild children without parents supervision throwing balls and going on merry go round too fast no courtsey to younger ones that running everywhere. Definately staff need to set in and warn parents or get them out as it spoils fun for the rest who are playing safety.

Plus baby/toddler area had older children 3/4 definately needed staff to step in to intervene and get them removed from section as small area not much space was left for young ones to play in with them playing and taking away cushions soft parts and playing around lego blocks not giving young ones a chance 1 older kid was just hogging on it for long focused playing himself despite it being for younger ones.

Due to openess is dangerous for youngsters should be sectioned of more securely for run away toddlers with buggy/push/ride a long things out in open near a round a about is not safe.

I liked this place for varietyness, but lacked lights was kinder dull and darkish due to not all lights on. Was cleanliness I spotted staff cleaning mainly focused on the door and front entrance greeting/reception, however around the play activity certain parts lacked cleanliness and definately needs to be looked into, as it could lead to allergy/asthma children to suffer. Certain activity was closed off however was not very clear and confusing for children as they went around the activity course

Clear signs however unfountately due to people immaturity signs for ball pit area urgently required no throwing as too much throwing was happening and no consideration throwing outside ball pit and even around young children.

Bumper car thingy not working no signs, stairs back stairs is a major hazard very dangerous steps is bumpy.

Loved the shoe shelf idea, however didn't understand the coats/jacket where to place them due to no staff telling us and no clear signs. Confusion why seating upstairs when kids downstairs require supervision.

Look forward to return once the improvement have...

I’m still recovering from our visit yesterday. I have never felt so claustrophobic! Online, the reviews and YouTube short look amazing! As we walked in, I immediately wanted to leave. We persevered as we’d traveled by public transport all the way from Wolverhampton with 4 children, one who is autistic, severely! She is in a Wheelchair and pre-verbal. This venue is big but has children everywhere! As a business owner myself, I would say that it was a hazard to have so many families inside. I could barely turn. There was no order. Children running everywhere, if you like stress, please attend. After travelling, we were hungry and told we couldn’t order food as they were no longer serving for the next hour! We were starving and ended up eating McDonald’s at 7pm once we got into Birmingham town! With an autistic child, our lives our stressful enough! I thought my husband was going to pass out trying to keep an eye on our autistic daughter. It was just too much! Never seen anything like it! I had to leave the venue with my teenage daughter who no longer wanted to participate. We also left her younger sister who is pre-verbal autistic and she was very stressed at leaving as she just wanted to play but I was worried for her safety with so many children. We allowed our sons to continue playing for a bit longer as we’d already paid £30! My two stars are for the lovely lady who saw my daughter in distress and brought her some chips and a fruit shoot drink to calm her down. Also, my husband ended up being refunded for myself, our eldest daughter and our youngest daughter. My second star is for the refund. The place is dirty and looks run down. You don’t see this online or on the YouTube short. I wouldn’t bring an animal in there. Will never return. I’m...