When is a kids club not a kids club?

When it's in Merry Hill shopping centre.

The kids needed some new clothes as they are going through a growth period. They grow, my wallet shrinks. Anyway, we decided on Merry Hill, as it has a good range of shops, and has a kids club where our two middle kids can play whilst we trog around the shops. The kids love it, as it has loads of activities, and even a big climbing frame thing.

So we arrived - first stop the kids club. Hoorraay say the kids. Hoorraay say Mum & Dad.

Well you'll need to go in with them, we've changed to a Pay and Play says the Funky Monkey behind the desk. Yes, a creche facility where you have to site with your kids. What a waste of time that is! We can stay at home to do that - we don't need to drive for an hour and then pay to do it! It's there so they can play whilst we shop!

In fact they do have full creche facilities from 3pm - 7pm, Monday to Saturday, but that's not much use for Saturday shoppers. From our understanding, Merry Hill staff weren't aware of the change until it happened a few weeks ago.

A waste of time, and considering the number of kids that used to be left there, I can see a lot of families with young kids deciding to shop elsewhere.

A stupid decision made by someone with no idea of what a kids club is actually there for.