AS YOUNG men they frequented the former working men’s social club in Shirley.

Now two Southampton businessmen have transformed the venue into a soft play palace that they hope will not only entertain children but become a real community asset.

Opening officially tomorrow the Team Spirit Letz Play offers a number of tailored soft play areas for children of all ages along with cafe and stage area.

The Victor Road venue is set over two floors and work is almost complete on a dance studio while the finishing touches are also being made to a multi-sports 3G games area.

The opening is a realisation of a dream for business partners Darren Curtis and Gerry Glasspool.

Six months ago they decided to extend their Team Spirit brand into the soft play market having already built up a successful coaching service, delivering sports training to around 2,000 children across Southampton.

They hope their unique ‘twist’ of making the soft play venue something for the family to enjoy by engaging children in their core values of engaging and enjoying activities will prove a success.

Mr Curtis said: “We used to come here with our families so when the chance came to turn it into something that the everyone could enjoy, we had to do it.”

Daily Echo:

The six-month transformation has been a labour of love and a real family affair as everyone connected with the team has helped out.

“We really wanted this place to be about the community, something families could enjoy. Once the dance studio is open we want to be able to offer meeting space for community groups to use free of charge. It has meant an awful lot to us to be able to do this in the community where we grew up.”

A special preview event was staged this weekend which saw scores of lucky golden ticket winners invited to have a sneak preview.

Guests were also treated to entertainment from the Team Spirit dancers. Pupils from the nearby Wordsworth School who had entered a competition to help design parts of the venue were also congratulated.

Along with soft play the venue will be staging after school sessions and has launched a timetable of music craft events for pre-schoolers. There is also a range of themed children parties on offer where the venue can be hired out.

Tickets are also currently on sale for a Halloween party. For more visit letz-play.co.uk.