An award-winning space that offers the opportunity for customers to release pent-up anger in a controlled environment, Smash It Rage Rooms has had a boom in popularity throughout its first two years.

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An award-winning space that offers the opportunity for customers to release pent-up anger in a controlled environment, Smash It Rage Rooms has had a boom in popularity throughout its first two years.

Located on the Coldharbour estate in south-east London, Smash It was created by couple Amelia Smewing and Darren Tofts after a family member suffering from PTSD struggled to get an appointment with the NHS.

A place where people can release their frustrations on inanimate objects, Smash It has been recognised for its innovative work in creating a safe space for people to express themselves without judgment.

Having opened in 2024, Smash It has seen a huge rise in customers of all ages and backgrounds, while it has also taken home some impressive titles.

In the summer, Smash It was awarded the coveted Social Enterprise StartUp of the Year for London at the UK StartUp Awards, following it up with another gong from the Business Elite Awards in September. But the awards are just a small part of the story, with Smash It donating more than £50k to charity in return for smashables that can be used in the rage rooms while also diverting thousands of items away from landfill into those rage rooms and then to recycling.

“Of course, we loved winning the awards,” says Amelia. “But what we love the most is that you get to meet so many incredible people. It sounds cliché, but we really do. “We have everybody from every background, every walk of life, from 12-year-olds right up to 80-year-old ragers [ravers?]. They’ve come from all over the country.”

Smash It has had feedback from customers saying just how much relief they got from breaking up inanimate objects in a safe, non-judgmental space - with women making up 70% of the clientele.

The popularity of the experience has also meant that the team are on the lookout for a second site.

“We are struggling to keep up with demand, in terms of space, because we’ve only got the two rage rooms, but also getting enough stock to keep up with everybody who wants to take part,” says Amelia. “Especially with the work parties and enquiries for 20 or 30 people, and we can’t easily accommodate that.

“We have to have enough overalls. We have to have enough space, a waiting area. So we’re looking for a bigger venue, ideally with several rooms and a chill-out room for afterwards, where we could sit in bean bags and have a cup of tea.”

Just this year, the team have had visits from Traitors star Diane Carson, to support the #AgeWithoutLimits campaign, and musician artists Little Simz and Sherelle, while there has even been a music video for a heavy-metal band shot there.

“We’ve had a lot of celebrities and influencers come down to use the rage rooms and we’ve got some pretty epic stuff lined up from January, so watch this space,” says Amelia.

The permanent site opened in March 2024 after two years of successfully touring schools and public events, with Amelia and Darren realising that a lot of young people and adults were looking for a way to release their frustrations.

With more than 400 five-star ratings on Google Review, Smash It has certainly been a hit.

HOW IT WORKS

Anyone over 12 years old is welcome in the rage rooms.

Whether you decide to visit on your own or with friends or work colleagues, the friendly team will give you HSE-approved PPE to put on before a safety briefing. You will then be shown to your room, where a variety of items will be waiting to be smashed, from plates and cups to TVs and car windscreens.

You can choose your own music and lighting before using the provided hammers, baseball bats, crowbars and more to release all that pent-up emotion. A safe non-judgmental space, blinds can be put down to cover the windows and offer privacy for anyone worried they might become emotional.

INFO: smashitragerooms.co.uk

INSTA: @smashitrageroom