Play Valley — Local services in Rotherham

Used to love this place SO much but won’t be going back for a while. Whilst I appreciate they need people to stick to their 2hr session, handing out little bits of paper at entry with exit time on is one thing but then to have someone telling people to leave when their time is up over the tannoy every 10mins is more than annoying!

I think they need to consider the customer experience properly…most parents go to these places to have a coffee and a bit of downtime whilst their kids have fun, not to have conversations constantly interrupted by silly announcements! If people have been given a slip with a 2hr exit time on and read the T&C’s when booking online then they will be fully aware of when they need to leave. Those that don’t leave are hardly going to be bothered about a women moaning on and on…they’ll just overstay so it’s pointless!

There’s got to be a better way…cheap coloured wristbands so staff can actually police who has overstayed their session rather than relying on an annoying loud voice. Several adults were rolling their eyes and obviously as annoyed as me and my fellow adults by the end of our session. It never used to be like this…new management maybe? Not sure what it is but it’s very off putting…

In addition to this, when a party of 6 (3 adults and 3 kids) are squeezed on a table for 4 initially due to business, but later see several empty tables become available…where is the harm in dragging one table across for more space when they are ready to eat? We were made to feel like an inconvenience by staff with one poor girl ‘seemingly’ being forced to come over by some huddled over-zealous manager/supervisor types to ask how many were in our party…to which we looked around at the chairs and replied ’erm 6’… so she went away and then came back moments later, (again after what looked like her being cajoled by the other ‘senior’ staff) to interrupt us again and ask if we could move the chairs and table back when we had finished eating! So rude…I didn’t even make eye contact the second time as I was shocked by how ridiculous they were being…it’s not a free session, quite the opposite and we’d bought food so I’m not sure what the problem was!

We were then watched like hawks, maybe they were waiting until we swallowed our last mouthful so they could whip the ‘extra’ table away! So pathetic for a business to operate like this…yes it’s half term but when people pay for a 2hr session they should be able to sit around a table that accommodates them and eat, chat, drink in peace…none of that happened!

After over 5yrs of being regular customers I’m sorry but we won’t be bothering with this centre anymore…basically, if you go when it’s dead then no problem but if it’s busy they treat you appallingly! If they’re not careful they’ll be having more quieter times than not when people wise up.

Avoid at all costs and spend your hard earned cash at a play centre that actually values its customers...

Came to Play Valley today like I do nearly every week that Rotherham and Doncaster. Normally both my children will normally get the weekday meal deal after school with no issues. Today after being told it was fine at the entrance like normal, my youngest was denied a meal! No manager was available and said "Jo wouldn't do anything about it anyways" ! Felt was very unfair since one member of staff was saying its OK when i asked when we paid and the next saying no! Felt so disappointed with Rotherham as was planning a birthday party here in November but now will look else where if staff cannot even agree on the same things and then have no manager to on sight to sort out disputes. My daughters love it here but now with staff not being as friendly as they used to be I may look elsewhere with the other parents from her school.

Also to point out that I have visited more then what the comment by the venue since it's not always me booking but also grandparents and husband and snooping to comment on that is bad character and looking at customers information is not appropriate just for you to reply on a review. We decided to go else where and found a much better place.

UPDATE Over a year later my oldest was invited to a birthday party so now here to review that :)

Do not book a weekend party here. The kids had fun but only because of being at a soft play with friends. Food was OK but the party host was just a 2min dance and singing happy birthday. Had a big table by the fire exit with 0 seating for parents and we was blocking a fire exit! Not safe at all! 3 parties was on at once! It was too much and I feel for the stressed staff who was all over the place. One parent ordered food for her older kids and the food was brought out cold and not when asked (wanted to eat with siblings and asked and said would be fine). I wouldn't pay a fraction of what they charge. Not for the bad organisation. After most kids left they then started to give out the ice lolly's. I would recommend finding somewhere else because I felt awful for the kids parents paying for it. Birthday child had a fantastic time and so did my daughter but I wouldn't book for what you get. My daughter even said its not as great as the other soft plays Cheaper to just do a big booking and play for 2 hours. Be cheaper for the same thing, but I recommend just finding somewhere else entirely. If you drive, Doncaster is...

I booked this venue for my daughter’s 6th birthday solely based on the reviews I had read and the fact that it was a new venue. Naturally, I expected a newly refurbished environment with well-maintained and modern play equipment—and that expectation was met.

However, I had never seen the venue in person before booking, and throughout the months leading up to the party, I visited three times, hoping to get a look at the party room. Each time, I was told that it was fully booked and unavailable to view. While I understand this policy, it was frustrating to be turned away all three times, despite asking politely and patiently. Realizing I had booked a venue blindly was quite unsettling.

I later sent an email requesting some info and photos of the party room; I received a response after few days but I never received any picture. In my last email, I also inquired about the possibility of dropping off decorations the night before, as I was informed that parents were only allowed in ten minutes before the party started—clearly not enough time to decorate. I had previously been told in person that this might be an option, but again, I received no reply.

The night before the party, I went to drop off the decorations as discussed with a staff member at the reception, who assured me they would be set up for the party. However, when I arrived on the day of the event, the party room was completely empty—none of the decorations had been put up. You can imagine my disappointment and frustration. Instead of welcoming guests and chatting with the other parents, I spent the first 20 minutes frantically blowing up balloons—something that was definitely not part of my plan.

While I understand that this wasn’t a wedding but simply a children’s party, as a parent, you naturally want everything to go smoothly for your child and their guests. I believe this venue could benefit from better flexibility and organization, especially among its young staff.

The only reason I am giving four stars instead of one or two is because of Gemma, our party host. She was absolutely fantastic—kind, attentive, and truly made the children feel special. Thanks to her, the kids had an amazing time, and she helped ease my frustration.

I really hope the venue improves its communication and organisation in the future because it has...