Head Over Heels in Chorlton has won two national Gold Awards at the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions annual awards ceremony which celebrates excellence within the leisure industry. It scooped the Food and Beverage Award and, for the second year running, the Family Entertainment Centre (FEC) Attraction of the Year 2018.
The winners had to have an excellent all-round site and be able to demonstrate constantly achieving high standards across all aspects of the business; highlighting why they should be regarded as having the best facilities in the family entertainment and indoor play industry. All the finalists were independently assessed by a mystery shopper.
The judges commended Head`Over Heels for its consistent vision and commitment to the highest standard. The panel said ‘A diverse and constantly evolving offer makes this a stand out centre … a superb range of quality food, locally sourced, wide range of healthy options & dietary needs catered for. Strong philosophy carried through all aspects of offering.’
Opened in 2005, Head Over Heels is one of the longest running, privately owned family play centres in the country basing their success on their philosophy is to create fun, inspiring and magical play experiences for children with equally comfortable and relaxing spaces for the grown-ups.
Cathy Dunlevy, Head over Heels owner said: ”We are so proud that our hard work and commitment has been recognised by the industry. I was aware from the outset that high-quality food and experience was important to our customers. Our passion for creating interesting and diverse menus is driven by our own love of good food and inspired by our outstanding local suppliers. We also pay particular attention to the dietary lifestyle choices of our customers.”
The café menu celebrates the very best of local and regional produce from award winning Chorlton based suppliers including Frost Butchers, Unicorn Grocery and Barbakan Delicatessen and all its teas and coffees are fair trade supplied by Rcoffee based in Didsbury, chosen particularly for their charitable programs to give back to the local community. Head Over Heels has recently signed up for the Worker Bee Manchester Initiative, where 10% of the wholesale purchases will be donated to I Love MCR and Forever Manchester charities.
The Chorlton centre has previously been runner up in The Observer Food Magazines Best for Kids category and nominated for The Manchester Food and Drinks Awards. It took the Gold award for the inaugural BALPPA Family Entertainment Centre of the Year Excellence Award (under 12,000 sq ft) in 2017.
Cathy added: “We strongly believe in supporting our local businesses and communities and we support more than 100 local schools and community fund raising events each year that focus on helping local children.”
The company currently employs over 50 people and works closely with Manchester Metropolitan University investing in management training for employees.