Children’s play project fitting tribute to father

Entrepreneur Dr Sipra Deb spent 18 months searching for her father, Protul Deb, who was kidnapped during a business trip to Assam in March 2004.

His family paid a £10,000 ransom, but Mr Deb was not released.

Dr Deb, from Sheffield, clung to the hope he was still alive.

She visited India three times, twice with officers from South Yorkshire Police, to try and uncover clues.

Finally, in September 2005, Dr Deb was told the remains of two men had been found in a forest on Assam’s border, and she travelled to India to identify her father’s body.

A funeral service was held in India and Mr Deb’s ashes were scattered in the Ganges.

Now Dr Deb, a former teacher, has created 30 jobs by investing £400,000 in a new business – The Play Arena – which is one of the biggest indoor children’s play centres and party venues in Yorkshire.

Dr Deb said she hoped it would improve the health and wellbeing of thousands of children.

“This is a project of love,’’ she told the Yorkshire Post.

“My father’s values have shaped the philosophy of this centre.”

At a service commemorating his life, Dr Deb described her father as “cheerful, intelligent and delightful”.

She added: “I am very proud to have been his eldest daughter.”

The Play Arena is an 18,000 sq ft former warehouse in Little London Road, Sheffield, which used to be occupied by the R J Stokes paint factory.

It provides ‘soft play’ and party entertainment for children up to the age of 16.

Dr Deb said the centre’s attractions would soon include a new ride, called the Skyrider, which has been designed by Rupert Oliver, who runs an indoor play area design and supply com- pany.

NatWest’s business banking team in Sheffield provided a £70,000 loan to support the launch of the venture.

The Play Arena was opened after two years of research and planning by Dr Deb, who visited a number of play centres in the UK and Europe, to assess what type of features would attract children and their parents.

The attractions include a large soft play area, a driving track, a ball cannon, a moving crocodile slide, a zip wire, and an interactive area for toddlers.

The Play Arena has a full-time chef, an outdoor eating area and 100 car parking spaces. Jobs have also been created for kitchen and waiting staff.

Dr Deb, who used to work as a teacher at High Storrs School in Sheffield, said: “It has taken a huge amount of time and effort to reach this position and we are delighted to welcome our first visitors.

“The Play Arena aims to create a friendly, fun-filled environment where children can play and exercise safely.

“The facility has been designed to provide mental and physical stimulation for children through uninhibited play. Around 1,500 children have been through the doors since the centre opened last week.”

Dr Deb, who has three sons, also worked as a research scientist in the field of genetic engineering.

She became frustrated by the lack of ‘soft play’ facilities in Sheffield.

She added: “We chose this location because the area lacked a facility of this kind that can bring children and parents together.”

Apart from Natwest, Dr Deb has also received financial backing from her husband Andrew Mills, an entrepreneur who runs a medical supplies company for children with spinal disorders.

“We estimate the turnover in our first year will be £800,000,’’ said Dr Deb.

“We had 600 responses for the jobs we have just advertised.”

In the long term, Dr Deb hopes to have 40 staff on the site.

Faith Douglas, relationship manager at NatWest, said: “Dr Deb undertook a significant amount of research and presented us with a very thorough and comprehensive business plan.

“She has a clear vision for the future of the business and we are happy to help support her plans.”

Courage and determination

DR SIPRA Deb’s “herculean” efforts to find out her father’s fate earned tributes from politicians and the police.

Her 67-year-old father, Protul, an Indian national, had lived in England since 1987 but returned to his native Assam on a business trip in 2004.

He was kidnapped and later murdered, despite the fact his family paid a £10,000 ransom.

He had received threats and financial sabotage after standing in a 2001 local election in India for the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

At a service commemorating his life in 2005, Liberal Democrat MP Nick Clegg, who is now the Deputy Prime Minister, praised Dr Deb’s determination and courage.