(L.R) Rachel Foster, Christina Ashley and Jess Foster, with Isla, three, and Elodie, 16 months

The 'unique' new cafe and sensory room that is a real family affair

15 Jul 2026, 08:52 by Lynette Pinchess · NottinghamshireLive

After a four-month labour of love it's ready to open

Who better to put a brand new sensory room to the test than the youngest members of the family behind the Square Hideaway?

Cousins Isla Foster, three, and 16-month-old Elodie Foster, tried the ball pit for size, scrambled onto a giant chimpanzee and bounced up and down on a lion hopper, giving it their full approval.

The Welcome to the Jungle sensory space is just part of the story at the Square Hideaway though. The majority of the former Burton menswear shop in High Road, Long Eaton — most recently a YMCA charity shop — has been transformed into a stylish 42-seater cafe.

Decked out with floral wallpaper, brown leather banquette seating, rattan lampshades and more than a hint of leopard print (a lamp and armchairs), it's a wide open space with ample room for buggies and wheelchairs alike.

The cafe will open on Wednesday, July 15, and the sensory room will launch on Friday, July 17 after four months of blood, sweat and tears to get the property just right.

To start with coffee, soft drinks, sandwiches, salads and paninis will be sold, but come September the owners hope to have an alcohol licence approved and serve small plates.

"Our unique selling point is that we can fit in lots of pushchairs and wheelchairs, it doesn't feel cramped. We felt that was lacking in Long Eaton," said mum-of-two Christina Ashley, whose family also run the Square Play Cafe in Beeston.

Whereas the Beeston cafe has pink and white furniture, Long Eaton has a more grown-up appeal, with one corner in the window themed around the family's love of country music.

Christina's mum, Rachel Foster, said: "We're starting small, a nice friendly cafe where you can meet your friends or bring your children. We are starting with a limited menu and we're hoping to expand on that September time."

The sensory space is double the size of the one in Beeston, which proved very successful when it opened last June.

Christina said: "It was a real hit but people were really limited with how long they could stay. Friends would travel to meet, have the hour session and then have to go elsewhere [for a drink and food]. We wanted somewhere they can meet afterwards and spend more time together."

The sensory room will have have different sessions for babies, up to eight years, and both children and adults with special educational needs, priced £8.50 an hour.

Features include a ball pit, colourful cloud mats, a bubble tube, illuminated rainbows, soft toys, and a sound box.

The opening comes after a recent spate of closures in the town, including the Cod's Scallops and charity shops, leading to some residents calling Long Eaton a dying town.

High Road is currently undergoing a £10m revamp with new paving, trees, planters, and seating to create a vibrant destination rather than a thoroughfare.

Rachel said: "We've been to the business meeting for Long Eaton and they're talking about places working together.

"We found in Beeston that one new place came, then another, then another, so hopefully this will bring more choice to the high street. Actually footfall is quite good. I've been quite surprised at how many people are up and down the high street.