Big Space Parking Nightmare

Is it just me or does anyone else out there start to think about where they’re going to park the minute their chid opens a Big Space Birthday Party invite?

Let’s get one thing straight from the start: I’m a big fan of Big Space and have been ever since it opened. It’s a great facility to have close by; as it’s name would have you believe it’s a big space for little ones to play, the staff are generally polite and helpful and you can get a decent cup of coffee, whilst the kids tire themselves out running, climbing sliding, driving, playing football etc. etc. Plus, they do the party thing well, with funky, clean party rooms and hosts to take care of the kid’s every need.

But parking at Big Space is a nightmare. Ok, so they have somewhere in the region of 30 odd spaces for their clientele but the trouble is once these have been taken up, and there’s a bank of cars parked down the side of their warehouse building, there’s no where close by. And if you do try your luck at getting a space, and your luck is anything like mine, chances are you will get caught in the bottleneck of the car park with a 4x4 facing you and refusing to reverse.

Take a look around the business park, and you’ll see that pretty much all of Big Space’s neighbours understandably discourage parking with no parking signs and threats of clamping. But visit on a wet weekend, a busy school holiday and I’m sure you’ll notice the odd family taking their chance anyway.

Yes, you can park at the back of the Co-op and walk up. But try and do that carrying a baby in a car seat and you’ll end up with biceps to rival the legendary Geoff Capes.

I’d be interested to hear what other Mums, Dads, childminders and carers have to say on the subject of parking at Big Space: Does it ruin your enjoyment of a visit, or doesn’t it bother you? Do you know of anywhere else close by where you can legally park? Or do you run the gauntlet and park at one of the neighbouring units? Have you been clamped or fined as a result of parking on space belonging to one of Big Space’s neighbours during a visit to the soft play centre?