‘Open it or lose it’: Northampton soft play owner’s growing frustrations as more businesses reopen

The owner of a popular Northampton soft play centre is growing more frustrated as her business is still not allowed to reopen.

Following the Government’s announcement yesterday (July 9), gyms, indoor swimming pools, spas and sports facilities will be allowed to reopen on July 25.

But soft play attractions, such as Riverside Hub, are still not allowed to welcome back customers.

The owners of the play centre have worked tirelessly while they have been shut for a total of 16 weeks to make the attraction safe.

Just last week one of the owners told the Chronicle & Echo about all the new attractions and reduced capacity that are planned, but now the owners feel like they are being let down.

Valentina Potter, director at the centre, said: “I cried reading the list of businesses permitted to open, comparing them to the Hub and the measures they might take and we have taken.

“I must say I am heartbroken and questioning the sense and reason of the Government.

“Children are the least affected group in this pandemic, and yet the most forgotten, many have had no meaningful social interaction for months.

“We have been working tirelessly behind closed doors to adapt our business to a new way of operating in a Covid secure way.

“We have taken the attitude of whatever it takes we shall do it and whatever can be done will be done, and yet we are not allowed to open.”

As the days and weeks of closure pass by, the valued attraction is losing a huge amount of money.

To keep themselves afloat the owners have had to dive into savings they had put aside to facilitate a bigger car park.

Valentina added: “Whilst small businesses have been supported by grants, the larger ones have had no financial help.

“We have been closed for almost four months and yet the rent, utilities, insurance and many other bills are still required to be paid in full.

“It is costing us over £1,000 a day to stay closed.

“This £1,000 is a sum of money we have to pay out every day in bills whilst we are still closed.

“This £1,000 a day does not include any of our Covid-19 or other play improvements, it's just dead money. Lucky for us we have been saving.

“We do not know how long this will last and I am starting to question how long we can last.

“I am thinking of what to say to over 100 staff who are working for us, and when we might be able to give them back the jobs they love.”

The owner’s overall message is clear: if they are not allowed to reopen soon, they will not be able to keep themselves afloat for much longer.

“Imagine life without the Hub, as if we are not allowed to open soon, we may have to think about closing for good,” she added.

“We need to open indoor play for the well being our kids and the sanity of their parents.

“Open it or lose it.”

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