Play centre that bans fathers under investigation

Kids Go Wild in Sparkhill, Birmingham is believed to be the first play centre in the country to introduce a women-only policy.

The play centre’s website says it is the ‘UK’s first ladies and children’s only soft play centre.’

The centre, which opened in June, only allows women and children to use its facilities and has banned fathers and boys over the age of nine.

It is believed that the policy has been put in place for cultural reasons and in the interests of the predominantly Asian community.

The centre is based in Birmingham’s Springfield ward, which at the time of the 2001 Census was home to 17,120 Asian or Asian British residents, and 13,461 Muslims.

Local councillor Mohammed Fazel, who represents the Springfield ward has spoken of his surprise at the centre’s decision to exclude men.

Fathers living in the area have also spoken out against the centre’s policy.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is now set to look into the ban at the play centre.

A spokeswoman from the EHRC said, only a court of law can decide if a particular set of circumstances do or do not comply with equality law.

A spokesperson for the Equality and Human Rights Commission said, 'The Equality Act does allow for some services to be just for women or men-only, but this is the exception not the norm and must pass a strict test to be justifiable.

'This is why we strongly advise organisations to get legal advice before offering a service along lines that could be seen to be discriminatory. We will look into why Kids Go Wild is a women only service.'

The spokesperson added that only a court of law can decide if a particular set of circumstances do or do not comply with equality law.

Nursery World contacted Kids Go Wild but the centre said that it did not want to comment.