Oldham play cafe launches monthly free children's meals to help families with cost of living

Children will eat free at an Oldham play cafe on the last Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every month, starting this weekend to help families with the cost of living.

Baby Bear's Play Cafe on Shaw Road launched its Kids Eat Free scheme today (Friday, September 25). Families will receive one free children's meal with every adult meal purchased available for children aged up to seven. 

The monthly scheme follows a summer trial. During the six-week school holidays, the cafe offered free children's meals every Thursday and parents welcomed the offer. 

Lauren Grimes, owner of Baby Bear's Play Cafe, said: "We see families every week who are working hard to give their children a good start while budgets are stretched further than ever. 

"A day out shouldn't feel like a luxury. Kids Eat Free is our way of taking one cost off the table, so parents can relax, children can play and everyone leaves with a full tummy." 

Mrs Grimes said the scheme would run every month for the foreseeable future. Parents who used the summer offer said it made a visit more affordable. 

Jemma Alshafei said: "The Kids Eat Free offer was especially helpful for us as I'm currently on maternity leave, so it made such a difference and made the visit feel really affordable. 

"It's lovely to find somewhere that is not only great for the children but also understands how helpful offers like this can be for families." 

Melissa Brown, who visited with her family during the holidays, added: "This was a brilliant offer. It can be expensive taking the kids out somewhere fun and then to eat.  They love Baby Bear's so it was a no-brainer to visit and take advantage of this deal."