‘Starting Jack in the Box all those years ago with just an hour a week in a church hall, I could never have imagined what it would become’
Jack in the Box has its own mini village
The founders of an award-winning children’s play centre business in Yorkshire have retired after more than three decades in the industry. Popular soft play centre Jack in the Box in Beverley – crowned Best Role Play Centre in the country at the Association of Indoor Play’s awards in 2024 – was first launched in 2011 by husband-and-wife team Ken and Gail Lunn.
The pair transformed a derelict former food factory into the fun haven for families. It marked a major expansion of the first play centre, which was a simple toddler gym club established in April 1990. The family-run centre extended the fun with a colourful role play area, Jack’s Mini Village, on the first floor above the soft play zone.
The team installed realistic elements including an ice cream van with traditional chimes, a washing machine with lights and sound, a cooker where children could whip up tasty meals, and a supermarket, complete with checkout counters with working scanners. It also has a music room with real drum kit and guitars.
Youngsters can immerse themselves in 14 different play settings where they can become everything from a postman and builder, to a vet, a doctor or a hairdresser. Now, after more than 30 of work in the children’s activity business, Mr and Mrs Lunn are stepping away to retire.
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They have sold Jack in the Box to new owners, passing it on to experienced operators Simon and Sarah Jesson.
Simon Lunn will be staying on as manager, together with the test of the management team and workers, to ensure continuity for customers. Sarah and Simon Jesson already operate four other play centres across South Yorkshire, all of which are run under the Play Valley brand.
Gail Lunn said: “Starting Jack in the Box all those years ago with just an hour a week in a church hall, I could never have imagined what it would become. We are incredibly proud of what has been built and the community that has grown around it. We’re confident Simon and Sarah are the perfect people to take it forward.”
Simon Jesson added: “Jack in the Box has an outstanding reputation and a loyal customer base. We’re honoured to be taking it on and are committed to maintaining everything families already love about it, while continuing to invest in its future.”
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