Tesco has installed a children’s soft play area to take space in one its largest stores in a bid to attract more shoppers and increase footfall.

The latest businesses revamp decision is part of a Tesco initiative to change its hypermarkets into retail and leisure centres.

Tesco has also bought a stake in coffee Harris + Hoole and acquired restaurant chain Giraffe.

Nina Rahmatallah, Director of brand development firm Added Value said: “Placement of restaurants and cafés in hypermarkets is not really a new concept, but recreational activity such as soft play is. We all know that food shopping is the last thing kids want to do. This move now gives parents some real bargaining power when it comes to the kids accompanying them on the weekly shop.

“In the past the promise of sweets, a magazine or toy would likely have been involved but play is a much healthier alternative and as such Tesco’s could well achieve the holy grail of happy kids and happy parents if this takes off.”

The Tesco Funky Monkeys play area will open on November 18th.