Opening a soft play in Leeds
Well served — you must stand out
GetSoftPlay combines local demographics with live competition data so you can judge a location before you commit. Here is what the numbers say about Leeds.
Quick answer: Leeds has an estimated 146,160 children under 15 and 18 soft play venues within 4 km — about 8,120 children per venue versus a UK average near 14,000. That makes it a well-served market that needs a clearly better offer. A typical 120 m² venue costs £35,000–£75,000 to fit out and could support roughly £316,000 in annual revenue.
Is there demand for soft play in Leeds?
Leeds has an estimated 146,160 children under 15 and 48,720 under 5, with 20+ nurseries and primary schools nearby — a strong signal of family density and party demand. Those children are served by 18 venues, or 8,120 per venue. Compared with the UK average of about 14,000 children per venue, Leeds scores a 0.58× demand gap, making it a well-served market that needs a clearly better offer.
Leeds vs the UK average
| Metric | Leeds | UK benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Children per soft play venue | 8,120 | ~14,000 |
| Median household income | £31,000 | ~£35,000 |
| Median age | 35 | 40 |
| Est. spend per visit | £12 | ~£14 |
How many soft play centres are in Leeds?
There are 18 soft play and indoor playground venues within 4 km of Leeds, averaging 4.5★ across 8,630 reviews (Google Places, 2026-08-21). The highest-rated is Little Streets at Crossgates LTD at 5★.
- Flip Out Leeds
- The Hidden Village: Children's Role-Play Village & Café
- The Play Lounge
- The Kidsplay (Formerly Kidzplay Leeds)
- Tiny Boo LTD
- RugRatz Play Gym
- Little Streets at Crossgates LTD
- Grass Hoppers Indoor & Outdoor Play (Tingley Garden Centre)
How much could a Leeds soft play earn?
With a median household income of £31,000 (0.89× the UK median), an average visit in Leeds is worth around £12. On a conservative catchment model, the area could support roughly £316,000 in annual revenue, with parties and café driving most of the profit. Run your own ticket, party and cost numbers through our profit and payback calculator.
How much does it cost to open in Leeds?
Equipment and installation run £150–£400 per m². A typical 120 m² two-level venue costs £35,000–£75,000; your total opening budget is usually 1.7–2.5× that once fit-out, rent and licensing are added. See a figure for your exact space with the cost calculator, then generate a themed AI concept for the unit.
Common questions
Is there demand for soft play in Leeds?
Leeds has an estimated 146,160 children under 15 (48,720 under 5) served by 18 soft play venues, or about 8,120 children per venue. Its gap ratio of 0.58× versus the UK average makes it a well-served market that needs a clearly better offer.
How many soft play centres are in Leeds?
There are 18 soft play and indoor playground venues within 4 km of Leeds (Google Places, 2026-08-21), with an average rating of 4.5★. The top-rated is Little Streets at Crossgates LTD (5★).
How much does it cost to open a soft play in Leeds?
Equipment and installation run £150–£400 per m²; a typical 120 m² two-level venue costs £35,000–£75,000. Total opening budget with fit-out, rent and licensing is usually 1.7–2.5× the equipment price. Use our cost calculator for your exact figure.
How much can a soft play in Leeds make?
As an income-adjusted planning estimate, the Leeds catchment could support roughly £316,000 in annual revenue, with parties and café typically carrying most of the profit. Model your own numbers with our profit calculator.
Do you need planning permission for a soft play in Leeds?
Often yes. Converting a unit to a leisure/play use usually needs change-of-use consent from the local council. Check the Leeds council planning portal before committing to a lease.
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Sources: population ONS Census 2021; income ONS earnings (approx); venues Google Places (2026-08-21). Children and under-5 counts are estimated from local population shares. Revenue is an income-adjusted planning estimate, not a forecast. Last updated 2026-08-21.