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Preston bans 'tacky' bouncy castles
Bouncy castles will be banned from Preston city centre for the forseeable future in a bid to inject some class into the area.
A temporary ban over Christmas has been made permanent – and now all inflatables, including slides, will be banished from the Flag Market.
The move was made following concerns over the look of the city centre as well as health and safety issues.
Jim Carr, Preston Council Chief Executive, said: "The council has decided not to have inflatable children's attractions such as slides and bouncy castles on Preston Flag Market at all times of the year.
"They are inappropriate for that location and the decision not to have them has been taken as part of emerging plans to improve the city's image."
John Wilkinson, who runs A1 Bouncy Castles, with a regular slot on the Flag Market, claims removing the attraction will hit the city's trade.
He said: "We pay the council a lot of rent and we offer a service to the people of Preston.
"Everybody knows Preston town centre is under threat from out-of-town businesses and we get people coming into Preston just because of the bouncy castles.
"We get the same faces week in week out – we are the reason they come into town. It is a nightmare trying to take children shopping on Saturday.
"Mums say if you can behave yourselves then you can go on the bouncy castle."
In December the Evening Post revealed banning the inflatables over the Christmas period would cost Preston City Council an estimated 2,000 in lost income.
Coun Ken Hudson leader of the council, claimed their removal was a "health and safety issue".
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
