Play! Oldham — Local services in Oldham

So I bought a Groupon voucher - family play and lunch for the kids - it seemed a good deal. It wasn't. We went yesterday afternoon (Weds 19th Dec) arriving at about 1pm - the children hadn't eaten lunch as we had picked them straight up from Nursery and driven straight to Play! knowing they had lunch provided. When we arrived Reception was closed and a sign directed us to the Cafe to pay. We were shown a menu to choose the children's food from and opted for 3 lots of fish finger sandwiches, a jacket potato with beans and cheese for my friend and a tuna toastie for myself. We sat at a table nearest the entrance to the toddler section so we could keep a good eye on my 17mo daughter - or so we thought - once she was through the gate we couldn't really see her. Luckily it was absolutely dead and we had the two boys (3 and 3.5) who were keeping an eye on her so I didn't feel too concerned - had it been busier this would have been most unnerving. The seating was insanely uncomfortable - set up like a train with 4 chairs attached to the table - I had to sit side ways to watch the children which meant the ridges of the chair digging into my leg, there was no space to get near the table - which would have been a nightmare if pregnant and was difficult for my friend who was breastfeeding her daughter. Just a very uncomfortable situation - add to this the fact that it was absolutely freezing and it didn't make for the pleasant natter we had hoped for while the children ran riot. So back to the food. Despite the fact that there were all of 3 other tables occupied it took FORTY, yes FORTY whole minutes to knock up a jacket spud, some fish finger sandwiches and a toastie. The kids (and grown ups) were starving. The sandwiches were made with the cheapest, nastiest fish fingers I've ever seen (tho thankfully the children didn't seem to notice and wolfed the lot - quite possibly because they were starving to death!) The jacket potato wasn't bad at all and the toastie was pretty mediocre, they hadn't even buttered the bread to brown it. Supremely disappointing. Oh and there were no straws provided for squash meaning my daughter just spilt juice all down herself as she's not able to manage a cup yet. There was no apology for the obscenely long wait - in fact there was very little staff presence at all and most of the time the cafe area appeared unmanned. The children enjoyed the play area - but it was very difficult to see them most of the time so I'm glad it wasn't busy. The slide must have recently been polished or something as it was so slippy it was borderline dangerous. Will we be going back?! Not if...

If I could give this place NO STARS, that would be more ideal. Upon booking this place for my sons and daughters combined birthday party, how much time we would get was our concern, discussing with one of ther managers, I got told 2 hours was max. So we started to re-think amongst ourself, as it's no joke, having 30 children and 30 adults in ther at a private party with so much planned. Suddenly the manager said, if you run over by 15/20 mins it's not a problem, but we will begin to clean up around u. So we agreed and booked. Our mistake NEVER ACCEPT anything THAT IS VERBALLY SAID, get it in writting. So the party is on, mascot, huge setup our food. So staff had nothing to do. Apart from enjoy from a distance. I wasn't troubled with that. Fine by us. So we run over with time and didn't quite finish for 8, but I was constantly updating staff on how long we have left n are just finishing off. At 8.10 the manager came and said we have an automatic alarm system which is set for 8.15 if your don't leav I will have to call the owner and ther will be charge for the extra time you are here, of £30. So I said that's fine. Not a problem, happy to pay the £30 for another 10mins as we was just finishing off. But guess what, THE BIG OWNER CAME, storming in, right into my face and showed me his watch. Shouting as loud as he could he said it's now 8.15 what on earth are all these people still doing here. EXCUSE ME, all these people are here because they have paid to be here. I told him I spoke to manager and she said it was ok if run over by 15/20 mins as long as they can start cleaning around us. He shouted back and said IM THE OWNER pffftttt... Your the owner because of people like us who come in ther and splash out hundreds, on parties.Maybe next time Mr OWNER it should be you yourself behind the counter taking the bookings, so you can show your customers how much of a professional you are. This place is a play centre for children, NEVER WOULD I ALLOW my child around a person who has no manners of how to speak around children, or how your behaviour may have frightened our children ther. I will never be going back. And will NEVER RECCOMEND to anyone either. All my guests Wer disgusted with his behaviour. Best part we had professional photographers and camra men at the party who have it all on camra. I would love to share it on social media to let parents see how a OWNER of a children's play centre behaves Infront of innocent kids. Don't get me wrong parents, I did get an apology after it all happened, as we was leaving, a little to late Mr OWNER, my 6 year old still asks why that man...

Absolutely disgusting service. Came here with my niece the lady that spoke to us was very unprofessional and intimidating. I didn't see the sign stating no outside food could be brought in. As I started eating the lady in question stormed across the room to myself and my cousin shouting you can't eat in here. She was pointing her fingers at our faces, shouting and made it so awkward for myself and the kids. She then shouted there's signs everywhere didn't you see. I completely understand her concerns I regards to allergies and etc but I geniunely did not see the sign as I would not have bought food in. There could have been a very more approachable way to deal with the situation. We had everyone around us staring, we felt very embarrassed and insulted. This lady was still shouting saying we can go outside and have the food if we wish to and then stormed off to the other end of the hall to attend a child's party as she was cleaning tables. We put the food away as we felt bad and embarrassed of what had just happened. This lady then proceeded to watch us from afar with her arms crossed making it very uncomfortable for me and my cousin. After another 5mins of the constant glares we took both my niece and nephew and left to go to another play centre. It's quite upsetting to think this is how certain people run their businesses. If it wasn't for parents and guardians like us taking out children to these centres they wouldn't be running. I've been struggling with my mental health recently and this is the first time in weeks I had gone out in public only to be treated in this manner, I was very anxious and felt sick. Your staff members need to learn basic manners and how to treat others with dignity and respect. Will not be returning here and will also advise family and friends not to bring their...