Northampton soft play centre says ‘goodbye for now’ as threat of local lockdown ruins plans

A popular soft play centre in Northampton has said ‘goodbye for now’ to its customers due to the threat of a local lockdown.

The Hub in Riverside has been shut for more than four months and owners have grown more frustrated as other businesses have been allowed to reopen.Last week Ellis and Valentina Potter announced that they were working to reopen the cafe and ‘sporting activities’ within the centre, excluding the soft play frame, as well as adding some outdoor attractions, after an Environmental Health Officer approved plans.

However the threat of a local lockdown has ruined these plans as the owners are concerned the outdoor area would only be open for a short time before it might be shut down.

The chain of events and the lack of continued Government funding has led the couple to say ‘goodbye for now’ as they are out of ideas of how to reopen.

Ellis said: “Last week we decided to top up the offering with a 'pop-up' outdoor area for the summer, with go-karts, zorbs and a giant beach.

“Risk assessments have been completed, the outdoor go-kart track is nearly built, we started to build the giant sand pit enclosure and 84 tonnes of sand should have arrived yesterday.

“But then events took an unfortunate turn.

“If Northampton were to enter into lockdown, the outdoor area may only be used for a few days before we have to break it all down again.”

The owners have been left completely deflated as they are ‘sick of second guessing’ when they will be allowed to reopen.

They are also now concerned that they might not be able to open their doors again when they are given the green light.

Ellis added: “It just looks like everything is against us.

“Obviously this is not good news for anyone. You, us, our team - everyone is affected.

“We'd love to be able to tell you that the Hub will reopen again, but we just don't know what the future holds. That's out of our hands.

“With no financial support or clear plan from the Government, we are left to flounder like a ship in a storm.

“So for now we have to say goodbye.”

Many loyal customers have suggested a fundraising page so that the local community can help the soft play attraction survive, but the owners do not want to accept 'charity'.

Instead they have suggested another way to that customers can help their plight.

“A few people have suggested setting up a Go Fund Me page or something similar. Please don’t, we are not looking for charity,” Ellis continued.

“You would be wasting your money. The costs incurred at the Hub are off the scale.

“It costs us £1,000 a day to remain closed, that's before any staff wages.

“With no idea of how long we will be closed for, we cannot plan, budget or sustain the business.

“If you are looking to help us, you can do one thing that could really make a difference - Write to your local MP.

“What we need is clarity and guidance from the Government as to when we can reopen, or if we have to stay closed, what support would be offered.”

Ellis and Valentina have thanked their staff for all their hard work over the last seven years and for helping families to make great memories.

They have also confirmed that they will return any party deposits if they are still holding them and they will be in touch with customers who have prepaid or direct debit memberships to detail their options.

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