An award-winning children’s party venue in Huddersfield has teamed up with celebrity Kerry Katona.
The former member of girl band Atomic Kitten has taken a stake in Popkidz and Club Fusion at Marsh after one of her friends attended a party at the Westbourne Road premises and told her how impressed she was.
Now PopKidz and Club Fusion has also opened a site in Halifax and has unveiled plans to expand even further by franchising the successful concept. The first franchise is already up and running in Wakefield.
The business was launched in 2010 by husband and wife Ijaz Khaliq and Victoria Allen as a purpose-designed party venue for children of all ages which is “stylish, funky and fresh”.
Popkidz has grown in popularity with parents and youngsters travelling as far afield as Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield to enjoy the Popkidz experience.
As well as providing advice and ideas for the business, mum-of-five Kerry will be making appearances at Popkidz venues and supporting the business at franchise shows. She will visit the Huddersfield, Halifax and Wakefield venues on Sunday. May 3.
She said: “I heard about Popkidz when a friend of mine attended a party and raved about how amazing it was. So I had a look on the website to see if they had a venue close home to host a party for my child and noticed they were looking to launch the franchise concept.
“It’s a brilliant idea. It’s unique and stylish and I was so impressed and thought it something I would love to get involved in.”
She said: “I love the fact that the Popkidz philosophy is to give the child a birthday party they will never forget and having five children myself, I know how important hosting a great party is. I’m so excited to be involved and can’t wait to get started. It won’t be long before you see Popkidz in every town and city!”
Ijaz said: “Kerry ringing up was completely out of the blue. One minute I was taking bookings for parties then the next call was from Kerry Katona. She has invested in the business and has become a partner. We didn’t just want a ‘face’ for the business. She is coming up with ideas and her involvement will take us to a whole new level.”
Kerry’s arrival has also delighted the Stainland couple’s daughters – Ava, fou, Zara, six and 12-year-old Avani.
Said Ijaz: “We are all so excited. The timing is perfect as the franchise concept is just about to be launched throughout the UK. Over the next two or three years, we could be all over the UK and after that we hope to take the Popkidz franchise global.”
