Hooray! Couple's soft play franchise is up for an award

Natalie and Paul Smith run Hooray Soft Play Sunderland after buying into the brand run by South Tyneside mum Sarah Briggs.

For six months, the couple, from The Willows, have provided play equipment for hire at private parties and worked on building up the reputation of their new-found venture.

Now, their hard work has paid off after their business was nominated by customers for a What’s On 4 Children award for Best Children’s Party Supplier.

Mrs Smith said: “We are absolutely delighted at being nominated for a What’s On 4 Children Award in the Best Children’s Party Supplier category.

“Our aim at every single booking has always been to ensure the children have fun in a safe environment.

“The excellent feedback and reviews from parents really has been phenomenal.

“We are so happy and overwhelmed that our customers have thought so much of us and the service we provide that they have taken the time to nominate us for this award.

“We would like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to the parents of Sunderland for nominating us, and we are excited to see how we do when the voting starts!”

The Hooray Soft Play brand was launched by mum Sarah after a chance purchase of play equipment led to her launching her first business.

The company provides soft-play equipment for hire at private functions.

Mrs Briggs, from Harton, South Shields, said: “Hooray Soft Play Sunderland have been operating for six months and we couldn’t be more delighted for them.

“Being nominated for a national award in any business is an amazing achievement, but to have been nominated in such a short space of time since launching is fantastic.

“They work really hard and strive to give parents a first-class service, so it’s great to see them being recognised for this.”

Last year Mrs Briggs was a finalist in the same competition.

She added: “Being finalists in the category last year amongst three other UK providers was a very exciting time for the brand.

“Seeing our franchisees reaching such a status in a short amount of time is outstanding.”

For information, visit www.hooraysoftplay.co.uk/