| News Release News Release News Release | | | | "Not only are the kids happy, but the parents feel |
| PLAY CENTRE AWARDED FOR CHILD HEALTH | | | | better knowing that everyone is eating healthier |
| AGENDA | | | | and food is as good as homemade, but without |
| A Scottish play centre's efforts to tackle soaring | | | | the hassle. |
| child obesity rates have earned it a Healthy Living | | | | "Judging by how much the kids enjoy themselves |
| Award. | | | | at TimeTwisters, they are certainly not |
| TimeTwisters in Edinburgh has received the | | | | complaining!" |
| Scottish Consumer Council award for its | | | | The 8000 sq ft play centre also encourages |
| uncompromising approach to healthy eating. | | | | exercise through indoor play - and TimeTwisters |
| At a time that obesity levels in Scottish Children | | | | offers reduced fees for extended hours. |
| are at an all-time high, the Egyptian-themed play | | | | Mr. Hixon added: "The children have so much fun |
| centre's restaurant has taken an overwhelmingly | | | | they often want to stay longer, and as the |
| healthy approach to food in stark contrast to | | | | parents are getting the chance to relax in a nice |
| what is normally served to the nation's children. | | | | environment serving excellent coffee, they are |
| Only eighteen months after opening in the city's | | | | usually quite happy to let the kids play on. |
| Sighthill, the play centre became one of only two | | | | "The result is children have experienced a fun day |
| in the country to achieve the accolade, and the | | | | out involving lots of exercise and nutritious eating. |
| only one in the country that has received this | | | | Most parents actually welcome the absence of |
| award AND a 4-star rating from VisitScotland. | | | | chocolate bars and sugary sweets." |
| Delighted TimeTwisters owners Andy and Shirley | | | | TimeTwisters is also a hit for birthday parties, |
| Hixon say it has vindicated their decision not to | | | | traditionally a time when the most conscientious |
| compromise on nutrition when they launched the | | | | of parents let the healthy eating rules slip. |
| play centre and restaurant. | | | | TimeTwisters achieves a compromise by offering |
| Andy said: "As a father I am aware of the | | | | meals children recognise including pizza and chicken |
| growing problem of childhood obesity. It is a | | | | nuggets- but they are healthy alternatives made |
| problem that can be easily solved with healthy | | | | from scratch on site using the finest fresh |
| eating and exercise - it's not rocket science! | | | | ingredients. |
| "So when we started our business, which | | | | Andy said: "The last thing parents need after a |
| addresses the concerns of families on this | | | | party is children made hyperactive - or worse sick |
| subject, I felt it was important to offer hungry | | | | - by an excess of bad food. Sadly, many |
| kids and parents a good range of healthy and | | | | perfectly healthy meals have been given a bad |
| tasty meals, snacks and drinks. | | | | name by the processed, fatty alternatives. |
| Andy and Shirley firmly believe success should not | | | | "Our chicken strips are made from fresh chicken |
| subject to the tyranny of junk food - and insist | | | | breast and our own breadcrumb coating. For our |
| children enjoy healthy alternatives when | | | | pizzas we make our own fresh topping. Even our |
| presented in a fun way. | | | | burgers don't come out of a box - we make |
| Mr. Hixon added: "Play centres and other family | | | | them from prime cuts of minced steak. These |
| attractions have always offered menus often | | | | are totally healthy meals. |
| exclusively made up of processed meals, sugary | | | | "Our choice of fruit, wraps, and sandwiches are |
| snacks and fizzy drinks. | | | | also extremely popular. In fact, our one |
| "Of course, providing a healthy alternative wouldn't | | | | concession is a portion of ice cream as part of a |
| work if customers didn't actually enjoy the food. | | | | balanced menu that kids really enjoy. |
| Fortunately, the positive feedback we receive | | | | "Meanwhile parents don't have to worry about |
| proves that children love the better quality | | | | their kids being filled with sugar, additives and |
| healthy meals such as colourful fruit salads, | | | | e-numbers." |
| vegetable crudites with dips and fresh chicken | | | | ENDS |
| breast in wholemeal breadcrumbs, or delicious | | | | For further information contact Sarah Urquhart at |
| pasta meals. | | | | Holyrood Partnership on 0131 561 2241. |