Owners of indoor play centres are fearful for the future

The soft play industry still has no indication of when it will be able to reopen, leaving owners of indoor play centres fearful for the future.

Christopher Buck and Janine Ryde purchased Funtimez at Jimmy Beans in Sutton-in-Ashfield and Funtimez at Bizzy Beans in Huthwaite in September 2019, and set about creating a fun experience for children and parents alike.

Customers old and new were enthusiastic about the changes and the centres became a regular haunt for parents in the area, attracting 25,000 visitors per year.

Christopher explains their predicament: “We find ourselves in an unimaginable position – this pandemic has really knocked us for six, financially and emotionally.

"Without a road map for opening we have know idea if financially we will survive as we cannot plan, and without a date we cannot reassure our staff that their jobs are safe.”

Despite a 20,000 signature petition, there has still been little communication from the government to indoor play centre owners to indicate a likely plan.

Christopher continued: “Soft play means so much to so many families for many different reasons.

“We really miss the happy smiling faces and laughter of the children playing.

"We miss chatting with the parents, grandparents and childminders and we miss creating fun in our centres.

“We need support and guidance, and we need it now before it’s too late.”

MP Lee Anderson visited Funtimez at Bizzy Beans on Friday and said: “I had a brilliant time visiting Bizzy Beans for the first time in twenty years, since my children were little and it is children that have missed out from visiting places like this over the past few months.

"The soft play industry is an important part of our children’s lives and can help them by improving social skills whilst having fun, which is so important for children.

"I want to see places like Bizzy Beans open up as soon and as safely as possible but in the meantime I want to see Government help as many of these facilities as possible to make sure their doors can open when the time comes.”

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