‘The end is in sight’: Northampton soft play owners feeling positive about the road out of lockdown

A popular Northampton soft play centre that has been forced to close three times in the last year due to Covid-19 restrictions should be open for good by mid-May.

The owners of Riverside Hub, in Carousel Way, have spent the last 12 months in turmoil with their business up in the air.

However, following the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday (February 22) detailing the road map out of lockdown, including that soft play centres should be able to open on May 17, the owners are now feeling more positive.

Ellis Potter, co-owner of Riverside Hub, said: “Things are definitely looking better than they were yesterday morning as we were thinking it could be June or July before we are allowed to reopen.

“It’s nice to have a bit of good news and it was a nice surprise as after the first lockdown we opened after other industries, but this time it seems like more will open at the same time.

“So many people have told us that they are missing this place, and nobody has known when we would be able to open again.

“There has been a big sigh of relief as we look forward to getting back to normal.

“Now we have a date to plan towards, we can get ready and work out how to handle it.”

The business, which loses around £1,000 everyday it is closed, has been on and off open and closed since March last year.

Fortunately the owners were in a position to support the business and are confident they can continue to keep it afloat until reopening in May, but they are hoping that this is their last closure.

Ellis added: “We could grumble about wanting to open sooner, but the most important thing is making sure this is the last lockdown.

“We do not mind waiting longer if we know it’s a permanent thing.

“We want to make sure that once we open we stay open and we can plan for the long term.”

Ellis is expecting restrictions, similar to those in place when the Hub was allowed to open last year, to be implemented for at least the first month after the attraction is hopefully allowed to open in May.

However, the owner is confident that all areas of the soft play centre will be able to open, whereas last year some areas had to remain close.

The team has also been working behind the scenes to create new facilities within the centre.

“The end is in sight and we are confident that we will be able to keep rolling and keep improving,” Ellis continued.

“We are always looking at what we can do and how to add exciting facilities and now we will be able to keep doing this as we have a firm future.

“We are currently building and fitting out a new two-storey role play hub called Hub Towers, with a beauty parlour, restaurant and games room.

“Also, when we reopen, The Hub will be fully open, which is great news.”

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