Gambado, the indoor children’s activity play operator, has opened its first site at Beckenham in Kent.

The 18,000sq ft (1,670sq m) centre features themed adventure play areas, a large arts and crafts zone, a selection of fairground rides – including a carousel, dodgems and trampolines – and an interactive sports wall.

The facility’s central feature is a large adventure play area which is split into three different zones for children of varying ages. Targeting for children up to 10 years old, the Gambado concept is the first of its kind in the UK.

Iain Westwater, managing director, said: “We are opening four sites around the south of England during the remainder of this year. “We are promising to bring high octane, high-energy fun for young people in a safe and secure environment.

"All our staff will have been police checked and thoroughly trained in stringent health and safety procedures.”

The company is looking to expand to 20 sites by 2008, with confirmed sites announced for Milton Keynes, Imperial Wharf in Chelsea and Guildford.

Gambado was launched in February 2004 by Westwater, a former European head of operations for Cannons health and fitness group.

The company secured initial backing of £2m and estimates each site will cost between £750,000 and £1m to set up. Details: www.gambado.com