New café and soft play launched in Cleator Moor by local mum

Ms Edgar, who is originally from Whitehaven and now resides in Cleator Moor, conceived the business idea driven by personal experiences of transport-related challenges.

Explaining the business's backstory, she said: “I only started driving last year and my boy is 5. I always struggled to take him anywhere so it gave me the idea to open my own soft play close by, because if you don't drive it’s a struggle getting to Whitehaven.

"When kids are a certain age, and you have to pay for the bus it can get expensive. I knew someone had to open something up in Cleator Moor."

She transformed a seven-year derelict property into the new soft play, offering fresh coffees, cakes, toasties, soups, kid’s boxes and snacks.

Rest and Play cater for children up until 6 (Image: Rest and Play)

The venue, receiving visitors from beyond local boundaries, provides an affordable and accessible recreational opportunity for families, she said.

Ms Edgar credits social media with aiding the location of the landlord, and after sharing her vision, she received support for the venture.

“He thought it was a great idea,” she said.

Ms Edgar has extended her operating hours due to demand. She said: “Although the initial week was quiet, we're now quite busy following advertisement.” 

She is already considering the future course of her business and is hopeful about expansion possibilities, with eyes on the neighbouring property.

The new venue has already started hosting parties, with flexible payment plans to ease the financial burden on parents.

She said: " I am offering a payment plan for the parties so it isn’t too much of a burden and children who didn’t have parties, now can."

Reflecting on her journey as a new business owner, Ms Edgar finds satisfaction in the positive feedback from parents and grandparents, who now have a local destination for their children.

She said: “There are many grandparents in the area who care for kids; now, they have somewhere to go.”