Opening a soft play in Stockport
Balanced — differentiation matters
GetSoftPlay combines local demographics with live competition data so you can judge a location before you commit. Here is what the numbers say about Stockport.
Quick answer: Stockport has an estimated 53,064 children under 15 and 4 soft play venues within 4 km — about 13,266 children per venue versus a UK average near 14,000. That makes it a balanced market where a differentiated venue can win. A typical 120 m² venue costs £35,000–£75,000 to fit out and could support roughly £115,000 in annual revenue.
Is there demand for soft play in Stockport?
Stockport has an estimated 53,064 children under 15 and 17,098 under 5, with 20+ nurseries and primary schools nearby — a strong signal of family density and party demand. Those children are served by 4 venues, or 13,266 per venue. Compared with the UK average of about 14,000 children per venue, Stockport scores a 0.95× demand gap, making it a balanced market where a differentiated venue can win.
Stockport vs the UK average
| Metric | Stockport | UK benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Children per soft play venue | 13,266 | ~14,000 |
| Median household income | £30,500 | ~£35,000 |
| Median age | 40 | 40 |
| Est. spend per visit | £12 | ~£14 |
How many soft play centres are in Stockport?
There are 4 soft play and indoor playground venues within 4 km of Stockport, averaging 4.3★ across 1,631 reviews (Google Places, 2026-08-21). The highest-rated is Tumble Jacks at 4.8★.
- Let Loose - Soft Play And Cafe
- Wild Things Soft Play Centre
- Tumble Jacks
- Run Of The Mill Indoor Play Centre
How much could a Stockport soft play earn?
With a median household income of £30,500 (0.87× the UK median), an average visit in Stockport is worth around £12. On a conservative catchment model, the area could support roughly £115,000 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 Stockport?
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 Stockport?
Stockport has an estimated 53,064 children under 15 (17,098 under 5) served by 4 soft play venues, or about 13,266 children per venue. Its gap ratio of 0.95× versus the UK average makes it a balanced market where a differentiated venue can win.
How many soft play centres are in Stockport?
There are 4 soft play and indoor playground venues within 4 km of Stockport (Google Places, 2026-08-21), with an average rating of 4.3★. The top-rated is Tumble Jacks (4.8★).
How much does it cost to open a soft play in Stockport?
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 Stockport make?
As an income-adjusted planning estimate, the Stockport catchment could support roughly £115,000 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 Stockport?
Often yes. Converting a unit to a leisure/play use usually needs change-of-use consent from the local council. Check the Stockport 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.