Bluewater has announced a recruitment drive to search for its first Chief Play Officer (CPO). The unique role has been created to celebrate the official opening of the centre’s transformed Wintergarden play area on Friday 24th April.
The successful candidate will be someone who takes the business of fun seriously. During their tenure, the CPO will be responsible for essential duties including:
- Conducting hands-on swing-testing to ensure maximum height and optimal levels of fun.
- Monitoring giggle output across the park to ensure the facility reaches its daily laughter quota.
- Managing turn-taking diplomacy between small humans, which includes leading peace negotiations at the top of the slide.
As well as holding the prestigious CPO title for a full year, the winner will star in a photoshoot at the new play park over the opening weekend*, along with receiving a prize package worth £500.
To apply for the role, children aged 4-12 are invited to submit their most creative naming suggestion for the park’s centrepiece – the mushroom-themed multiplay unit. The eight-metre-tall mushroom-topped tower features a six-metre-long spiral slide, as well as a crawl tunnel through its base. Entries can be submitted via the Bluewater website: https://www.bluewater.co.uk/en/become-our-very-first-chief-play-officer
James Waugh, Centre Director at Bluewater, commented: “We’re thrilled to be announcing the opening date of our newly transformed Wintergarden play area, alongside the launch of our search for Bluewater’s first Chief Play Officer.
“This playful role is a fun way to celebrate the new space, putting children at the heart of the experience and giving them a voice in shaping how play should look and feel here at Bluewater.
“We can’t wait to see the creativity and imagination our young applicants bring to this one-of-a-kind opportunity.”
This announcement follows an extensive transformation of the play area, creating a larger and more inclusive space. The design was inspired by the creative ideas of Year 6 students from Temple Hill Primary School, who took part in a competition to design their dream playground. The completed space will feature more than 30 individual play elements, designed to support physical, sensory, and imaginative play for children of all abilities.
To celebrate the play park’s opening, guests visiting over the opening weekend will be able to enjoy complimentary face painting and bubble displays from fairy bubbleologists. The free activities will be available from 11am-4pm on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April. PLUS+ members will be able to enjoy exclusive family-friendly discounts over the play park’s opening weekend, with participating retailers including Hangloose Adventure, Yo Sushi! and more.
For more information on the opening and the Chief Play Officer competition, please visit https://www.bluewater.co.uk.