16th June 2012

… 10 New jobs created as children's softplay centre opens in Junction One …

Jungle fever hit Junction One on Saturday when a new children’s softplay centre, Funky Monkeys, opened in the Antrim retail park, creating 10 new jobs in the area. Many families from the local community turned out to enjoy the fun-filled opening with free face painting for all and prizes for the first 25 customers.

The new Junction One branch joins the seven other Funky Monkeys centres already established in Northern Ireland to offer fantastic softplay facilities to children aged eight and under. The centre also has a healthy eating café with an exciting menu, from smoothies and milkshakes to baked potatoes and fresh Panini.

Steven Hanlon is the franchise owner of Funky Monkeys Antrim and is delighted to be opening this premier play facility in the local area.

Steven said: “This will be the eighth centre in Northern Ireland and I am very excited about bringing the Funky Monkeys concept to Antrim. So far customer feedback has been very positive with families saying that it really is a fun trip out and my twin daughters Zoe and Eva and my son Ben certainly agree!

“Our exciting jungle-themed play area includes a softball football pitch, a twin wavy slide, dizzy discs and lots more for kids to enjoy. We also offer a range of themed birthday parties which have proved very popular in the other centres across Northern Ireland and will be running a number of activity mornings which are perfect for summer schemes and days out during the holidays when keeping the kids entertained can be especially difficult!”

Funky Monkeys Antrim is open seven days a week, 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday and 12-6pm on Sunday and is situated between Asda and the Outlet Shopping area in Junction One. Each 90 minute session costs £4.95 for children aged 4-8 and £4.50 for children under 4, with babies under 1 costing £1 or free with an older child. There is also a monthly membership scheme which offers great savings with unlimited access to all Funky Monkeys centres across the province for only £12 a month.

For more information, you can call Funky Monkeys Antrim on 028 9448 8276 or visit www.funkymonkeysni.co.uk. Funky Monkeys also has softplay cafés in Newtownabbey, the Kennedy Centre and Cityside (Yorkgate) Belfast, Dungannon, Larne, Lurgan and Downpatrick. Funky Monkeys is specifically tailored for children aged 8 and under and so please note that an age and height restriction of 4ft 3inches applies.

Steven concluded, “I am looking forward to getting to know all the regulars and providing a first class service to my customers at Antrim.”