"We have been bullied and picked on": Lancashire play centres hit back at new restrictions forcing them to close as borough moves into Tier 3 lockdown

This morning (October 16) it was confirmed that Lancashire would be moving into Tier 3 in a bid to tackle the coronavirus crisis. Although gyms and other leisure facilities remain open, soft play centres for children have been forced to close their doors once again.
Elaine Cooke, manager of the Kinder Hub play centre, in CottamElaine Cooke, manager of the Kinder Hub play centre, in Cottam
Elaine Cooke, manager of the Kinder Hub play centre, in Cottam

Just a few short weeks ago, the play centre industry was just gearing up to reopen after months of closure due to the pandemic.

Now, just two months after, children's centres in the borough of Lancashire have yet again been forced to close their doors to meet in line with the new Tier 3 restrictions imposed this morning.

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Industry experts previously warned that many indoor soft play areas would shortly close their doors for good because of new government regulations, with that reality slowly looming over those in Lancashire.

Elaine said play centres have been 'bullied' into closing when other leisure centres can remain openElaine said play centres have been 'bullied' into closing when other leisure centres can remain open
Elaine said play centres have been 'bullied' into closing when other leisure centres can remain open

Elaine Cooke, manager of Kinder Hub, Cottam said she is 'massively disappointed' in the news and said play centres are being 'bullied' and 'picked on' as other leisure centres remain open in the borough.

The news comes after Professor Chris Whittey confirmed last month that infection rates were not going up among school-age children, when he reassured worried parents about classroom safety.

Elaine said: "We are absolutely fuming with this news we just can not believe it. Play centres are some of the safest places to go and transmission rates between such young children are virtually nothing and that has been proven.

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"I want to know why on earth we are being targeted and bullied into closing yet again. We had the longest time to wait to reopen, then we were hit with Preston lockdown meaning we had to stay closed for even longer and now this.

Play centres will be expected to close from Monday October 19 under new Tier 3 restrictionsPlay centres will be expected to close from Monday October 19 under new Tier 3 restrictions
Play centres will be expected to close from Monday October 19 under new Tier 3 restrictions

"We have only been open four weeks and it has been amazing, parents with young babies and children who have been cooped up for months have finally been able to get out.

"We have had all the funding that is available to us, we are now eating into our grants which we will have to somehow pay back next year. We have spent so long getting our stock back and now will have to get rid of all of it again as we are forced to close.

"We want our five thousands customers to ask about the science and contact the council asking why this is happening to us. We are distraught and there is no scientific evidence to back these decisions up because other leisure centres with older people, who are more likely to transmit the virus, are staying open."

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Manager Elaine said she feels that spending thousands on Covid-secure equipment and guidelines has now 'all been for nothing'.

Play centres only re-opened two short months ago, in August and now must close againPlay centres only re-opened two short months ago, in August and now must close again
Play centres only re-opened two short months ago, in August and now must close again

She added: "We had spent so long making sure we were Covid safe for our customers and their children. We spent thousands on cleaning products, pespex screens that were one metre apart, fogging machines and had everything in place and now that's all down the drain.

"We are one of the safest places you could bring your child."

The news has come as a devastating blow to popular play centre Cheeky Monkeys, in Whittle le Woods, that today announced that Sunday would be their last day of trade for good.

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In a social media post, the company admitted that they would cease trade with a 'heavy heart' because of the impact of Covid-19.

Management said the business was "financially crippled" by a six-month closure earlier this year. Already 19 members of staff have lost their jobs, with the remaining six only being kept on till next month.

Kim Bolton, of Minis Party and Play centre, added: "We are only a small family run business and every time this happens, it takes a huge toll on us as a business.

"Every time we are hit by these new restrictions it is the children who are missing out on being able to play with other children and get back to some normality."

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In return for entering Tier 3, Lancashire is set to recieve a £42million package of financial support for businesses, the care sector and schools but play centres remain hit with the uncertainty of how long they must close for.

Lancashire has been moved into the "very high" Covid alert level by government, with significant additional restrictions on people and businesses across the entire area.

Children's play centres are to close from Monday, along with casinos, bingo halls, bookmakers, betting shops and licenced clubs.

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