A Nottingham mum-of-two is championing child-friendly places to eat by creating a free online guide - but she needs the help of other parents.
Alison Turner wants mums and dads, grandparents and carers to share their experiences at cafes, restaurants and pubs to make it easier to find the spots that are genuinely family-friendly and not just paying lip service.
Always on the look-out for places that make families with young children more at ease when eating out, Alison said: "But I don’t mean just a kids menu and a high chair offered.
“I love the whole dining experience and since having children it has made me anxious about the entire aspect of eating out in public. For example, the logistics of getting out the house in the first place (as it some of you will know what I mean!)
"As a parent you also question how to keep them calm and within range when out and about, what the children’s menu is like and if they will even eat anything from it, if the establishment has a clean baby changing room.
"Another popular question from parents is if the place has a decent high chair or if there is any room for the pushchair – the list goes on!”
Alison, who is mum to Charlie, four, and Lily, one, has founded a community platform for sharing reviews on Instagram and Facebook, called Family Friendly Eateries.
"Some places say they are family-friendly but then there's not much space so you're bumping into people's chairs while they're drinking their coffee," she said.
Although there's plenty of pub restaurants with soft play areas in the suburbs, such as the Goose at Gamston close to where Alison lives, she says there appears to be very few child-friendly places in the city centre - at least to her knowledge.
"With my first child, I had a lot of anxiety going out and breastfeeding in public so I didn't go out as much. I didn't know where to go.
"The aim is to create a simple app and website similar to a TripAdvisor for families so you can find everything in one place, share reviews and give ratings," added the 35-year-old digital marketing specialist, who is on maternity leave until October.
"It is a big market. Motherhood can be lonely at times. You want to get out of the house, meet friends, and have somewhere where the kids are safe while you simply have a large cup of coffee and cake.
"I want to encourage independents and larger chains to make it easier for new mums to go out and not feel embarrassed about breastfeeding in public, having food chucked on the floor and the occasional crying child.
“Family Friendly Eateries is a community, and revolves around everyone’s dining experiences and reviews, not just mine, and I’d like the platform to be as user-friendly as possible for busy parents/guardians.
"I am yet to find the ultimate establishment that is child-friendly that ticks most of the boxes: clean baby changing room, pushchair friendly, quality kids food menu with lots of options, breastfeeding friendly, Ikea high chairs, and a play section for younger babies and kids."
The platform is under development so for now you can submit your reviews to Family Friendly Eateries at familyfriendlyeateries.com
"I would love to hear from other parents and if they have any tips when dining out, recommendations on where to eat or would like to team up and collaborate on this project.
“Also, if you’re a family-friendly restaurant, pub or cafe waiting to be discovered do get in touch,” added Alison.
Alison's top five family-friendly picks:
Portello Lounge, West Bridgford
Relaxing atmosphere with comfy sofa seats. Fairly spacious for pushchairs, plus board games and Lego etc for younger kids. There is a play park just behind the restaurant as well.
Brewhouse and Kitchen, Trent Bridge
Excellent food and was accommodating when I previously booked a table to be in a semi private area that’s breast feeding friendly. My daughter at the time would get very distracted by people and noise.
There’s no play area but is based at great location if you fancy a stroll along the embankment.
Sobar, Friar Lane, Nottingham
Only discovered it recently but staff seem very accommodating and friendly. The children made a big mess but the waitress didn’t bat an eyelid when it came to cleaning up.
Good spot in the city centre and has a small play corner for younger kids plus a buggy area.
Newfield Ice Cream Parlour, Hockerton
A bit out of the way in Southwell but this venue has good quality food and, of course, proper dairy ice cream. Lovely small play area outside so good in the summer.
Pudding Pantry
The venue in Sherwood is more spacious than the city centre one. Free car park across the road. Delicious cakes and
pancakes.
Kids menu and good high chairs. But it can get a little crammed if a lot of parents come with their pushchair.
