Barlow Croft Wacky Warehouse — Local services in Manchester

Title: A Disheartening Experience at Wacky Warehouse Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5) My recent visit to the Wacky Warehouse left me utterly disappointed and frustrated. What was supposed to be a fun and exciting outing turned into a grim and uncomfortable experience, marred by a multitude of issues that left me questioning the establishment's commitment to its patrons' satisfaction.

One of the most glaring issues was the appalling level of cleanliness—or rather, the lack thereof. The entire facility was filthy and unclean, from the floors to the tables and surfaces. It was evident that no effort had been made to maintain even basic hygiene standards. The tables were sticky and unkempt, and the floor looked like it hadn't been mopped or cleaned in ages. This not only created an unappealing atmosphere but also raised concerns about the health and safety of the children playing there.

Adding to the discomfort, the lack of proper air circulation on warmer days turned the play area into a stifling and suffocating environment. The absence of adequate ventilation made it nearly unbearable for both the kids and parents alike. To make matters worse, the separation of play areas for kids under five and over five seemed meaningless, as there were no measures in place to prevent them from mixing or wandering into each other's spaces. This negligence in maintaining distinct spaces is a potential recipe for chaos and accidents.

The presence of a slide that could possibly traumatise younger kids is another issue that highlighted the lack of consideration for children's safety. Wacky Warehouse should prioritise age-appropriate equipment to ensure that all kids can play without fear or distress.

As if the interior conditions weren't bad enough, the exterior was equally disappointing. The presence of rubbish both inside and outside the facility further solidified the establishment's lack of care. The paintwork was faded and peeling, giving the entire place an air of serious neglect and abandonment.

The café was another letdown. Overcharging for a limited menu with subpar offerings, including poorly made coffee lacking proper milk or steamed milk, was a final blow to the already dismal experience. The staff manning the café were visibly untrained and displayed an alarming lack of motivation or attentiveness to customers' needs.

Adding insult to injury, the birthday cakes provided for guests were unceremoniously placed in tissue instead of proper containers. This lack of attention to detail, especially when charging on a per-head basis, was truly unforgivable.

In conclusion, my visit to Wacky Warehouse was a disappointing and disheartening experience from start to finish. The unclean environment, lack of maintenance, poor air circulation, safety concerns, and overall neglect of the facility's condition were all indicators of a place that has lost sight of its primary objective: to provide a safe and enjoyable space for children to play. The disregard for basic cleanliness, safety, and customer satisfaction, combined with an overcharging café and an untrained staff, make this establishment one that I cannot recommend to anyone seeking a positive and memorable experience...

I booked his place for my daughter's birthday party hoping to have great time for her and her friends. Instead I found myself in a race. I wanted to get there earlier to decorate the rooms with some balloons and table decorations but they told me max 5 mins earlier. I didn't even start adding what I wanted because I wasn't allowed upstairs in the party area, the first 60 mins of the 90 minutes booked must be spent downstairs so the kids can play. They didn't even give us 60 minutes but less, we were rushed upstairs, food was already on the table, it looked horrible, the worst quality chips I've ever seen. Everything looked worn out, plates and cups well used over time. I just didn't enjoy being so rushed form the moment I stepped into the place. Awful continuous announcement on the mic made it all unbearable. I was also charged for 2 extra kids when they were 9 and not 10. I booked for 8 and another one showed up unexpectedly so I paid that extra. But then I was still within my number and they kept on saying I only had 2 places left when in fact it was 3 and this way they made me pay another entrance. I was absolutely fuming however it wasn't the end of this nightmare. I nearly lost it when I saw the waitress serving the cakes I made, filled with cream and covered with a chocolate layer, so quite wet and sticky to give you an idea, serving them on the napkins! Omg!!! And I even told her that cake could not go on tissue paper and in the goodie bags, it had to go on a plate! There was a pile of plastic plates on the table and as well I brought paper plates myself but she still went to place the slice on those awful tissues. I'm just speechless, my husband thinks it's just me stressing over things and that in the end our daughter and the kids had a good time. Well I doubt I will go back again sorry but I paid hoping for a...

This venue has lots of potential as a great local soft play but is let down in a number of ways. As other reviews have noted it's not the cleanest, there is a slight whiff of urine (unbearable in the toilets) and a lot of the play equipment is in need of replacement. Some kids had even managed to get through a tear in the fabric and were hiding underneath a slide structure, very unsafe.

The size and layout overall is good, however note for people who have adventurous toddlers, the under 5s zone is small and under-equipped, the over 5s is much better but during holidays or weekend adults are not allowed above the ground floor. This isn't a rule I've heard of anywhere else and is a significant drawback if your child needs extra help or supervision. I'd only consider coming in term time (which I thought it was), as it's also possible to have unlimited playtime when it's quiet.

I can't fault the staff, the woman working was very polite and made us feel welcome despite the rules. Can't be easy relaying that ten times a day, feels like the company needs a look at their insurance policy as I can't see the set up working for a lot of parents.

Unfortunately no working coffee machine at the time so my caffeine deprived brain was quite relieved to leave at the end of the session. Pub next door made for a quick and easy retreat for basic food, kids ate free with the app which was pretty great.

With some improvements I'd visit again, but strictly in term time only as I want to be able to be with my kids rather than letting them roam free and hoping for the best, especially when some of the kit is...