30/09/2005

Belfast City Council promises 'bags' of birthday fun

Belfast City Council is hoping to grab a bigger slice of a multi-million pound trend to host children’s birthday parties outside the home by launching a new enhanced party service at its leisure centres.

More than £200 million is spent annually on birthday parties in the UK and this is forecast to grow to around £216million in 2006, with more than half the parties being held outside the home.

Given the increased competition among parents to provide a party that is a little bit different, the council has joined forces with a local provider to offer additional entertainment as well as things like swimming, trampolining, archery and laser quest. The centres will also provide a complete service from invites to party bags and catering as required.

In addition incentives to encourage families to make more use of centres will be given to all party guests such as discounts for half price swims or the use of laser quest.

Launching the new service with a party at Belfast City Hall, the Lord Mayor, Councillor Wallace Browne said: “This shows the council is capable of adapting to new trends and encourages families to make even more use of the centres. It also means children take part in healthy activities like trampolining or swimming and given that so many young people are not getting enough daily exercise it is a simple way for parents to encourage them to be active.”

The new service will free parents from party hassle allowing them to relax and join in the fun. Everything is on offer from a simple package which might involve only hiring a hall and providing your own food to having everything taken care of by council staff.

(MB/SP)

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