THE owner of a children's entertainment business has shared her appreciation of the community as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.

The Ultimate Party People UK, based in St Helens, is a children's party company specialising in children's entertainment for events.  

First set up in 2013, the business has been providing entertainment across the North West for a decade.

Former Edge Hill Drama student Jessica set up the business with her sister, a primary school teacher, Heather Drillingcourt.

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Discussing the milestone, Jessica told the Star: "It’s amazing; when I think back to 10 years ago, I literally was leaving university and wanted to set up a business and didn’t realise we would be so busy so quickly.

"After the pandemic, having lost everything for two years and not being able to work, to come back and still have a business with people still booking us after everything makes me really appreciate everything even more than I did before."

Jessica shared that the business faced a major challenge throughout the pandemic, with the entertainment industry taking a hit as events were unable to take place.

The 31-year-old added: "It was literally going from a full business seven days a week to closing overnight, so we needed to get back up and be motivated enough to start again.

"It was amazing that people got behind me and supported us, and I think it’s a testament to the girls I have who have worked for me for such a long time that people like us and that’s why we’re here 10 years on.

St Helens Star: The team recently celebrated the milestone together The team recently celebrated the milestone together (Image: Jessica Ballard)

"All I was dealing with during lockdown was cancellations; we had about 52 weddings cancelled, christenings, and birthdays cancelling continuously for two years.

"People were worried that if they booked that the party wouldn’t happen whereas now, I feel that people are ready to carry on and celebrate with families.

"I had no money to pay my bills, so I’m thanking the customers who have come back and booked us."

The business owner also detailed how she provided free entertainment for families on Facebook live during the lockdown and helped out with track and trace at The Gerard Arms before the business was able to resume.