FAQs

General Enquiries

  • CRATE Walthamstow is located on the 1st floor of the 17 & Central shopping centre.

    Head to the main entrance of the shopping centre and follow the directory or signs to Food, Drinks, and Soft Play.

    If you need further assistance, any staff member will be happy to help.

    Enjoy your visit!

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  • You can contact us by emailing hello@crate17.co.uk, or Play.central@crate17.co.uk for Play Central queries.

    Alternatively, feel free to visit us and speak to any of our friendly staff members.

  • Yes, most of our food vendors offer halal options.

    Please look for the halal symbol on the kiosks and feel free to ask our staff if you have any questions.

  • Yes, most of our food vendors offer vegetarian and vegan options.

    Please look for the vegetarian/vegan symbol on the menus, and don't hesitate to ask our staff if you have any questions.

  • Yes, some of our food vendors offer gluten-free options.

    Please look for the gluten-free symbol on the menus, or feel free to ask our staff if you have any questions.

  • Please make sure to check with the individual food vendors about allergens before placing your order.

    We want to ensure that you have all the information you need to make safe and enjoyable choices.

  • Please consult with the staff at the individual food operators, as opening and closing times may vary.

  • The last order at the bar is 30 minutes before closing.

    Please consult with the staff at Pretty Decent & Friends, as closing times may vary throughout the week.

  • Yes, we have WiFi available at CRATE Walthamstow!

    It's a great space to work remotely with free WiFi (17&Central Free WiFi) and various food options.

    Enjoy a productive and comfortable environment while staying connected!

  • Yes, CRATE Walthamstow is wheelchair friendly!

    We strive to ensure that all of our visitors have a comfortable and enjoyable experience. If you need any assistance or have specific accessibility requirements, please let our staff know, and we'll be happy to help.

  • Yes, we have plug sockets and USB sockets available in certain locations, making it convenient to work remotely.

    Feel free to make use of them while enjoying our facilities!

  • For health and safety reasons, we do not have this facility inside the Soft Play area.

    However, you can use power sockets in the CRATE Food and Drinks space outside the Soft Play.

  • Yes, we have disabled toilets and baby changing facilities available. They are conveniently located next to the lifts on the same level as CRATE Walthamstow.

  • Unfortunately, we do not have toilets or baby changing facilities inside Play Central.

    However, there are toilets and baby changing facilities, including parent and child toilets, conveniently located just next to the lifts, not too far away.

  • We currently do not have gift vouchers available, but it's something we may introduce soon.

    Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to find out when it happens.

  • Please check the job section of the 17 & Central website.

  • The soft play area, Play Central, is designed for the following age groups:

    • Baby and toddler: 0-2 years

    • Junior: 3-7 years

    Children outside this age range are not permitted to play. Adults or guardians accompanying children may be required to show proof of age (18+) upon entry.

  • Play Central is open from Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 7 pm, with the last admission for 90 minutes session at 5:30 pm.

    On Sunday, it is open from 10 am to 5 pm, with the last admission for 90 minute session at 3:30 pm.

    Please note that the soft play area is closed on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.

  • All our play sessions are 90 minutes, except for the last session of the day, which is an hour long and available at happy hour prices.

Bookings and Reservations

  • You can reserve a table at CRATE Walthamstow through our website.

  • Absolutely, large groups are welcome at CRATE Walthamstow! Secure your space in advance by reserving a table on our website.

    For an exclusive space for your party, we have two event spaces available for hire. Send us an enquiry through our website, or you can privately hire the Play Central space for kids' parties by emailing play.central@17andcentral.co.uk.

  • The Kids' Table is a complimentary crafting service provided for dining guests at CRATE Walthamstow. It offers an engaging environment for children aged three and above, allowing parents to enjoy their meal while keeping their children in sight.

    This service operates on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to capacity limitations.

  • To book a soft play session at Play Central, simply visit our website.

    You'll find all the available time slots and can secure your spot online. If you encounter any issues or need assistance, feel free to email us at Play.central@crate17.co.uk or speak to one of our staff members during your visit. Have fun!

  • Unfortunately, we cannot reserve or guarantee tables inside the soft play area. Therefore, we advise parties requiring a table for cake cutting and food to reserve a table in the CRATE food or bar area before or after the play session. You can request a table reservation on our website.

    For exclusive space, we also have private rooms available. You can enquire about them on our website.

  • To book a soft play session for a birthday party at Play Central, simply visit our website.

    Parties for 10 or more kids during public sessions can be booked through the party booking section on our website. You can also reserve a table in the food area through our website to continue the party after your play session.

    If you prefer, we have two private rooms available for hire. Send us an enquiry through our website. Additionally, you can hire the entire soft play space, which can accommodate a maximum of 70 people, by emailing play.central@crate17.co.uk.

    We're here to help make your child's birthday celebration special!

  • For party or private hire bookings, a 50% deposit is required. Please note that this deposit is non-refundable in the event of cancellation.

    The balance payment needs to be made via card at the venue before the party begins.

  • Yes, we offer a discount for group bookings of 10 or more children. Please refer to our booking page for detailed pricing information.

  • We typically do not allow walk-ins and ask that you book online to ensure you're aware of the rules of Play before making a reservation.

    However, if you encounter an error while booking, please email play.central@crate17.co.uk with the error message. Alternatively, you can visit us in person, and one of our staff members will assist you in booking a session.

  • We are a cashless venue and request that all our guests book online.

    This ensures that you confirm your understanding of the Rules of Play on our website while booking. However, if you encounter an error during the booking process, please email play.central@crate17.co.uk with the error message.

    Alternatively, you can visit us in person, and one of our staff members will assist you in booking a session.

  • Typically, each booking accommodates up to two adults.

    You can add additional adults at £7.50 each subject to availability and capacity restrictions. Please remember to include all adults, including complimentary ones, in your count, as only the specified number will be granted entry to Play Central. Additional children or adults cannot be added to a reservation at the venue. To edit you booking please email play.central@crate17.co.uk at least 48 hours before your play time.

  • We permit one complimentary adult for every paying child. You may add extra adults at a cost of £7.50 each, depending on availability and capacity limitation. Please remember to include all adults, including complimentary ones, in your count, as only the specified number will be granted entry to Play Central. Additional children or adults cannot be added to a reservation at the venue. To edit you booking please email play.central@crate17.co.uk at least 48 hours before your play time.

  • To extend your play sessions, you will need to check if the next slot is available and book the next session on our website.

  • No refunds are provided for cancellations or no shows. Should you need to cancel, you may reschedule your session for another available time slot, provided you notify us at least 48 hours in advance. Rescheduling within 48 hours of the session is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. For party/private hire bookings, a 50% deposit is required, which is non-refundable in the event of cancellation. However, date changes may be accommodated if requested at least 14 days in advance and are subject to availability.

  • You may reschedule your session for another available time slot, provided you notify us at least 48 hours in advance.

    Rescheduling within 48 hours of the session is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Once the session has commenced, our on-site staff are unable to edit or reschedule your booking. They can only edit/reschedule your booking if capacity restrictions permit.

    Additionally, please be aware that the beginning of the session tends to be quite busy as we strive to admit all guests promptly. Consequently, our ability to assist with editing or rescheduling sessions during this time may be limited.

  • We offer discounted 90-minute play sessions during off-peak hours, Monday to Friday, for sessions that start at 12:00, 12:30, 1:00 and 1:30 pm.

    Please check our booking page for pricing details.

  • We offer 90 minutes of play during off-peak hours, with time slots available from Monday to Friday, 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm.

  • The last admission for a 90 minutes play session at Play Central is at 5:30 pm from Monday to Saturday, and at 3:30 pm on Sunday.

  • The last session is one hour to accommodate late-day visitors. It offers a shorter playtime at a reduced rate, subject to capacity availability.

    Please refer to our booking page for detailed pricing information.

  • If you are unable to see the desired time slot, it is likely that it is already full, or all the time slots for that day are fully booked.

  • For future bookings, please email play.central@crate17.co.uk with proof of payment, along with your name and the date and time of the booking. For same-day bookings, please visit the location and speak to one of our staff members.

  • We charge for infants as well as they are included in the headcount, which limits our capacity due to fire safety regulations.

  • All children must be supervised by an adult or guardian at all times. The required adult-to-child ratios are as follows:

    • Under 2 years old: One adult to three children

    • 2-3 years old: One adult to four children

    • 4-7 years old: One adult to six children

  • At this time, we do not offer memberships. However, we encourage you to follow us on social media or sign up for our newsletter to be informed as soon as memberships become available.

  • Currently, we do not offer special festive holiday sessions.

    Please follow us on social media or sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on any future offerings.

  • Generally, the soft play area tends to be quieter from Monday to Friday, between 12 pm and 3 pm.

  • At present, we do not offer discounts for childminders. However, please follow us on social media or subscribe to our newsletter to be among the first to know about any future promotions.

  • We are unable to add adults to your booking at the venue. To add an additional adult to your booking, please contact us via email at play.central@crate17.co.uk a minimum of 48 hours prior to your session (subject to availability). Any modifications requested within 48 hours of the scheduled session are also contingent upon availability and cannot be guaranteed. It is important to note that we allow a maximum of two adults for each play session booking and one adult per paying child for party bookings at no extra charge. You can add additional adults at £7.50 each subject to availability and capacity restrictions. Please ensure that all adults are included in your booking, even those who are free, as we will only accommodate the total number of adults indicated on the booking. Be sure to check the necessary adult-to-child ratio.

  • To add an additional children to your booking, please contact us via email at play.central@crate17.co.uk a minimum of 48 hours prior to your session and we can send you a payment link.

    Any modifications requested within 48 hours of the scheduled session are contingent upon availability and cannot be guaranteed.

  • To ensure that all children don’t miss playtime, our host will prioritize admitting guests first and will also make sure that guests who are leaving have signed out. Due to this busy period, we may not have the capacity to assist with editing or rescheduling sessions. Additionally sessions tend to fill up quickly and the venue may not have the capacity to accommodate additional guest. Therefore, it is essential that any changes are requested at least 48 hours prior to the playtime. Additionally, please be aware that the system does not allow any edits once playtime has begun.

House Rules and Health & Safety Policies

  • We do not allow outside food in the CRATE space.

    This space is dedicated to our street food vendors who offer a variety of food options that can be ordered à la carte or in advance.

    Some vendors also have special catering menus specifically designed for parties.

    Orders need to be placed directly with the respective food vendors.

    You can download their catering menu, which also includes their contact details, here.

  • Yes, children are allowed in the bar area until 8 PM if they are accompanied by a supervising adult.

    In the food area, children are allowed until closing time.

  • We do not allow candles in Play Central however if you have booked one of our private rooms or a reserved a table, you are welcome to bring your own cake and candles. Please hand over the birthday cake and candles to our host on arrival, and they will bring it to you when you are ready.

    For fire safety, we request that you allow our host to light the candle and supervise to ensure it is extinguished safely. Thank you for your understanding.

  • We're happy for you to bring in a balloon with weights and dress the reserved table in the food/bar area.

    However, we do not allow any decorations on the walls except for pre-discussed decorations in the private rooms. Only free-standing decorations, subject to space availability, are allowed in the food/bar and soft play area.

    Confetti is strictly prohibited in all CRATE/17 & Central spaces.

    If you've hired one of our private rooms, please discuss the details of the decoration and the do's and don'ts with our staff before confirming your booking. We kindly request that you remove your decorations at the end of the reservation for the comfort of the next guests and leave the private rooms in the same condition as received.

    Unfortunately, we do not allow decorations inside Play Central unless the space is hired exclusively, and the decorations are removed during the booked session so that the next session can commence right after. All above decoration restrictions apply. Thank you for your understanding.

  • We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please ensure that you keep your belongings secure.

  • Buggies, pushchairs, bikes and scooters are not allowed inside the soft play area due to space constraints and fire safety restrictions.

    However, you can park them in the buggy park right outside Play Central.

    Please do not leave any valuables inside the buggies. Play Central is not responsible for the loss of personal items including pushchair/buggy/scooter/bikes.

  • Unfortunately, buggies and pushchairs are not allowed inside the soft play area. This is to ensure everyone's safety and to maintain a comfortable space for all our little ones to enjoy. Thank you for your understanding!

  • Sessions start promptly to ensure that everyone gets their full playtime.

    Due to limited space capacity, late arrivals will lose playtime, and no refund will be provided. This also helps us start the next session on time for our guests.

  • Due to space capacity constraints, entry into the soft play area is strictly limited to your designated booking time.

  • Yes, supervision is necessary. Play Central does not provide supervision, and it is the responsibility of the parent or accompanying adult to ensure the health and safety of their children while on the premises.

  • Yes, adults may swap supervision responsibilities with one another. However, it is essential to ensure that children are always under appropriate supervision.

  • We allow a maximum of two adults for each play session booking and one adult per paying child for party bookings at no extra charge. Additional adults can be added for £7.50 each, subject to availability and capacity limits. Please ensure that all adults are included in your booking, even those who are free, as we will only accommodate the total number of adults indicated on the booking. Be sure to check the necessary adult-to-child ratio.

  • We are not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage that occurs during the session. It is the parent or guardian's responsibility to ensure that the rules of play are followed.

  • No, if a parent or guardian needs to leave the Soft Play area, the child must remain under the accompanying responsible adults supervision and cannot be left unattended.

  • For the safeguarding of the children in the soft play area, we request that entry and exit gates are not opened by parents or children. Please wait for our host to let you out.

  • For the comfort of all our guests, we kindly ask that nappies are only changed in the toilets or baby changing facilities within 17 & Central. Unfortunately, nappy changes are not allowed inside Play Central. Thank you for your understanding.

  • You can eat while sitting on the chairs and tables inside Play Central, but not inside the play area itself.

    Please ensure that drinks are in plastic cups, not glass, and that the Food & Drinks are purchased from CRATE Walthamstow vendors.

    Food purchased from outside except baby food, water & milk is not permitted.

  • We only permit food and beverages purchased from within CRATE to be consumed inside the soft play area.

    Guests with little young babies can bring baby food & milk. For safety reasons, please request takeaway cups or glasses, as glass containers are prohibited. Should you have any questions, kindly consult our staff.

  • For the comfort of all our guests, we kindly ask that kids' potties are only used in the toilets or baby changing facilities within 17 & Central.

    Unfortunately, they are not allowed inside Play Central or anywhere else in the centre. Thank you for your understanding.

  • At Play Central we reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone exhibiting signs of illness to ensure the health and safety of all our guests.

  • To ensure a smooth transition between sessions, we recommend that you begin packing up at least 5 to 10 minutes before your scheduled exit time. This allows you to exit on time, ensuring that the customers in the following session can start promptly.

  • Aggressive or disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated. We reserve the right to ask anyone engaging in such behaviour to leave the premises. This also includes anyone who has paid for a play session, and the amount paid will not be refunded.

  • We appreciate your understanding!

    While our staff is dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable environment, it’s important to note that they are not there for supervision.

    It is the responsibility of parents or accompanying adults to supervise their children at all times. Thank you for your cooperation!

  • Guests are welcome to purchase food and beverages from our vendors in CRATE and enjoy them at tables within Play Central.

    However, it is the responsibility of the parent or accompanying adult to verify allergen information with the vendors and to remain vigilant if their child has allergies, as we do not restrict allergen consumption in the space.

  • Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed at CRATE Walthamstow. We understand how important your furry friends are to you, and we wish we could accommodate them.

    Thank you for your understanding. If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out.

  • The buggy area is exclusively reserved for guests of Play Central.