Yellow Sub Liverpool To Become Monkey Town At Waterfront 2026

Key Points

• Yellow Sub, a children’s play centre in Brunswick Business Park near Liverpool’s waterfront in Dingle, has shut down under its previous name.
• However, it will undergo renovations and be rebranded as Monkey Town Liverpool.
• Monkey Town is run by the Dutch leisure company 24 Indoor, which bought the Liverpool site in April 2026.
• According to the company statement, Yellow Sub will operate temporarily before shutting down in summer 2026 to renovate completely.
• It is said that the new Monkey Town Liverpool will open on 21 October 2026.
• The renovated centre will include Monkey Town’s themed playgrounds, restaurant, and play sessions.
• The former centre had a big play structure, toddler playground, football ground, arcade games, parties, and refreshments.
• The centre had already shut down for a day in October 2025 due to the complaint from a customer who discovered a mouse close to the baby and toddler playground; the company assured that it was investigating with the authorities.
• This renovation is part of Monkey Town’s UK expansion after acquiring Rascals Party and Play Centre in Preston.

Liverpool (Liverpool standard) October 15, 2026 – A major children’s play centre near Liverpool’s waterfront is preparing to reopen under a new name after the former Yellow Sub venue at Brunswick Business Park was acquired, closed and refurbished for transformation into Monkey Town Liverpool. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the huge play centre has been confirmed for the waterfront site, with Yellow Sub having closed under its previous name.

The development affects families in Dingle and across Liverpool who have used the indoor play venue at Dempster Buildings, Atlantic Way, Brunswick Business Park, Liverpool L3 4BE. The site sits close to the River Mersey and has long been promoted as a family destination near the city’s waterfront.

What has been confirmed for Liverpool’s waterfront?

Monkey Town Liverpool has been confirmed as the new operator and brand for the former Yellow Sub play centre. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the venue is described as a huge play centre confirmed for Liverpool’s waterfront, while Yellow Sub has closed under its previous name.

The change follows the acquisition of Yellow Sub by Monkey Town Group, operated by Dutch leisure group 24 Indoor. According to MD Law, which advised on the transaction, the acquisition was announced as Monkey Town’s second United Kingdom site, following its purchase of Rascals Party and Play Centre in Preston.

MD Law reported that Yellow Sub would continue to operate in the short term before closing in summer 2026 for a full refurbishment and transformation into Monkey Town Liverpool. The firm said the brand’s distinctive themed environments, food and beverage offer and signature play experiences would be rolled out at the Liverpool site.

When will Monkey Town Liverpool open?

Monkey Town Liverpool is reported to be set to open on 21 October 2026. As reported by L’Express Franchise, the Liverpool venue is the former Yellow Sub site on the waterfront, bought in April 2026, with closure planned over the summer for refurbishment ahead of reopening as Monkey Town Liverpool.

The reported opening date has not been presented in the available reporting as a formal public statement from Monkey Town or 24 Indoor. Families planning visits should therefore check the operator’s official channels before travelling, particularly because refurbishment and opening schedules can change.

Yellow Sub’s own website had previously displayed a notice stating that the centre was “Closed for Refurbishment”. The site also continued to list the venue’s address at Dempster Buildings, Atlantic Way, Brunswick Business Park, Liverpool L3 4BE.

Why did Yellow Sub close?

Yellow Sub closed under its previous name as part of the planned transition to Monkey Town Liverpool. MD Law reported that the venue would continue trading briefly after acquisition before closing in summer 2026 for a full refurbishment.

The former Yellow Sub website described the venue as having a large play frame with slides, climbing frames and other activities, alongside a toddler area, football pitch and arcade. It also advertised birthday parties and food and drink on site.

The site’s location was a central part of its appeal. Yellow Sub’s website said its entrance was on Atlantic Way facing the River Mersey, with access through Brunswick Business Park.

What will Monkey Town Liverpool offer?

Monkey Town Liverpool is expected to offer the brand’s indoor family entertainment concept, including themed play environments, food and drink and its signature play experiences. MD Law reported that these elements would be introduced at the former Yellow Sub site.

Josh Buxton, UK Country Director for Monkey Town, said the refurbishment would transform the site into a city Monkey Town location. As reported by MD Law, he said:

“The refurbishment will transform the site into a city Monkey Town location while building on the strong foundations already established by Yellow Sub as a destination for local families and visitors to the waterfront.”

Peter van Wijk, chief executive of 24 Indoor, said the Liverpool site represented continued momentum for Monkey Town’s United Kingdom rollout. According to MD Law, he said the North West had strong indoor play market potential and favourable family demographics, making it a natural focus for early expansion.

Who owns Monkey Town Liverpool?

Monkey Town Liverpool will operate under Monkey Town Group, which is operated by Dutch leisure group 24 Indoor. MD Law reported that 24 Indoor acquired Yellow Sub as its second United Kingdom site, after acquiring Rascals Party and Play Centre in Preston in 2025.

According to MD Law, 24 Indoor operates more than 80 locations across Europe, including sites in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, with expansion planned in Spain and the United Kingdom. The group specialises in indoor family entertainment centres under the Monkey Town brand.

MD Law said its partner and head of corporate and commercial, James Burdekin, advised 24 Indoor on the legal aspects of the Liverpool transaction. The firm also reported that Jack Ware, corporate finance director at Hawsons, provided financial and tax due diligence and wider buy-side advisory support.

What happened at Yellow Sub before the rebrand?

Before the rebrand, Yellow Sub was the subject of a widely reported hygiene incident in October 2025. As reported by the Liverpool Echo and carried by Yahoo News, a local mother, Ashley Adlard, said she found a mouse close to the baby and toddler play area during a visit on Monday, October 27, 2025.

Ms Adlard, who was reported to be 39 years old and from Dingle, said she had taken her two children, aged six and seven, to the centre at about 3pm. She said both children have special needs and preferred the baby and toddler area, but she had been moving them to another area because there were several small babies present.

As reported by Yahoo News, Ms Adlard said: “It was half dead with its mouth and eyes still moving. It was right next to where all the babies were.” She added: “I just got my kids out straight away.”

She said she told a member of staff at the front desk and claimed that the manager removed the rodent without closing or cordoning off the area. Yahoo News reported her claim that people continued to be admitted while the area was being cleaned.

Yellow Submarine Activities Limited, the operator of Yellow Sub, issued a statement in response. As reported by Yahoo News, the company said:

“On October 27 we were made aware that a mouse had been found in our play centre.”

The operator added:

“We are deeply sorry for the distress this incident caused to the parent involved and any other parents and guardians who have entrusted us with the care of their little ones.”

It said it took all matters of hygiene extremely seriously and was conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances.

The company also said:

“At this stage, we do not recognise some of the comments that have been reported on social media, but we are committed to establishing the full facts as quickly as possible.”

It said its priority was the health and wellbeing of children and that it was working closely with relevant authorities and partners.

Yahoo News reported that, following the discovery, environmental health inspectors from Liverpool City Council visited the centre and the business agreed to close for the day on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, while issues were dealt with.

How does the rebrand fit Monkey Town’s UK expansion?

The Liverpool conversion forms part of Monkey Town’s wider expansion into the United Kingdom. MD Law reported that the group acquired Rascals Party and Play Centre in Preston in 2025, before bringing Yellow Sub into its portfolio in 2026.

The company said the Liverpool acquisition was part of a broader strategy, with further sites progressing across England, including London. MD Law reported that additional announcements were expected as the expansion programme continued through 2026 and beyond.

MD Law reported that 24 Indoor’s strategy focuses on acquiring established local venues as well as developing new sites, with the aim of bringing consistent standards, innovation and long-term investment to the family leisure sector.

What did Yellow Sub offer families?

Yellow Sub was positioned as an indoor play destination for children and families in Liverpool. Its website described a large play frame with bumps, slides and climbing frames, as well as a toddler section featuring large Lego, interactive screens and a mini Smoby tricycle track.

The venue also advertised a football pitch, arcade games, birthday parties and a restaurant and coffee shop. Yahoo News reported that the centre hosted events and parties and served food and drinks on site.

The play centre’s website said it was situated by Liverpool’s famous Albert Dock and described itself as a place for families seeking an active play session and food.

Background of the development

Yellow Sub operated at Brunswick Business Park near Liverpool’s waterfront in Dingle. The venue’s official website listed its address as Dempster Buildings, Atlantic Way, Brunswick Business Park, Liverpool L3 4BE, and described its entrance as facing the River Mersey.

In April 2026, Monkey Town Group, operated by 24 Indoor, announced the acquisition of Yellow Sub as its second United Kingdom site. MD Law reported that the venue would continue to operate in the short term before closing in summer 2026 for refurbishment and conversion into Monkey Town Liverpool.

The announcement followed Monkey Town’s earlier acquisition of Rascals Party and Play Centre in Preston. MD Law reported that the Liverpool deal was supported by Sheffield-based MD Law and accountants Hawsons.

The former Yellow Sub site had also faced scrutiny in late 2025 after a customer reported finding a mouse near the baby and toddler area. The operator said it was sorry for the distress caused, was investigating, and was working with relevant authorities; Yahoo News reported that the centre agreed to close for a day while issues were addressed.

Prediction: What this means for Liverpool families

For Liverpool parents, carers and families, the reopening of the waterfront site as Monkey Town Liverpool is likely to restore a large indoor play option close to Dingle, the Baltic area and the wider city centre. Families who previously used Yellow Sub for rainy-day activities, toddler sessions, birthday parties and weekend visits may see the refurbished venue as a direct replacement, although the exact play offer, pricing and opening arrangements will depend on Monkey Town’s final launch details.

For local businesses and the waterfront leisure economy, the investment could bring renewed footfall to Brunswick Business Park. Monkey Town’s operators have positioned the North West as an important growth area, citing strong indoor play market potential and family demographics, which suggests the company views Liverpool as a long-term location rather than a short-term conversion.

For parents, the change may also renew attention on hygiene, safety and customer service standards at indoor play venues. The earlier mouse incident prompted an investigation by the operator and involvement from Liverpool City Council environmental health inspectors, according to Yahoo News; families considering a visit to the new venue may look for clear information about cleaning routines, food safety, staff supervision and how concerns are handled.

The most immediate practical impact is likely to be on family plans during the October half-term period. With Monkey Town Liverpool reported to be set to open on 21 October 2026, local families may have an additional indoor option ahead of the school holidays, subject to confirmation from the operator.

Sources