IT only opened this year, but already Pirates Play Centre in Sherwood has proved a big hit with local families. Businesswoman Katy Kerr has opened the new soft play centre in Rowley Drive in a former 1920s swimming baths.

The busy mum, who is a former nanny and now runs a nanny agency and mobile nanny service, had long dreamed of opening her dream play paradise, but struggled to find exactly the right premises.

Katy, who has a son Riley, 17 months, explains: "I had been looking around for two-and-a-half years for the right property.

"I wanted it to be a bit different. Many soft play centres are situated in old industrial units and are really hard to find.

"This building was the right size and has a spectacular vaulted ceiling with the necessary height for the equipment I wanted to install."

Pirates Play Centre is made up of three amazing storeys of fun.

There's a high vaulted ceiling and the floor over the old swimming pool now has a wonderful main play structure made up of a high, double wavy slide, sky glides, kart track, rollers, nets and rope bridges.

Designed for youngsters from 0-10 years, the centre also has a separate baby and toddler area with ball pool and slides.

There are also rooms to hold birthday parties and a café serving drinks and light lunches.

Oh yes, and there's fresh coffee and proper milk for your tea – what more could you ask for?

Katy says she loves the building because it's "got character."

She adds: "I wanted to take away any concerns parents and nannys and childminders might have, so I've made sure there's good visibility when the kids are playing. I wanted somewhere clean and bright and really safe."

It's early days, but feedback so far has been really positive.

"We did really well in our first month, it's been very popular at the weekends and busy every day. Lots of the childminders have got to know about us, and I hope it will become a real centre for the community – a place where we can hold yoga classes, baby massage and other events like that."

The building, which had also previously been used as a climbing centre, was very rough and ready – but Katy and her husband have made it look fantastic inside.

She has worked with children for more than ten years, and has numerous childcare qualifications.

"I know a bit about what kids like," she laughs.

Pirates Play Centre, Rowley Drive, (access through Kelham Drive) Sherwood; Telephone 0115 960 3363. It is open every day from 9.30am to 6.00pm. Admission: Under one year free, 1-3 years £3.50, 4-10 years £4.50. Ask about special discounts for childminders.

Other soft play venues within easy drive of Nottingham:

Escape Family Entertainment Centre, Giltbrook Industrial Park, 0115 938 6206.

Hood's Hideout, Beechdale Baths, 0115 915 1575.

Tumble Town, High Street, Arnold, 0115 967 1161.

Run Riot, Rushcliffe Arena, West Bridgford, 0115 981 402.

Denz, Queen's Road, Beeston, 0115 925 5007.

Jungletastic, Nottingham Road, Nuthall, 0115 975 1113.

Lanky Bill's Fun Shack, Cromford Road, Langley Mill, 01773 767050.

Little Drivers, off Halls Road, Stapleford, 0115 939 2211.

Cyril's Nut Hut, Acton Road, Long Eaton, 0115 973 6532.

Playmania, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, 01623 644443.

Crazy Crocodiles, Abbey Street, Ilkeston, 0115 944 1555.

Freddy's, Nottingham Road, Spondon, 01332 662322.