Outdoor Merry Hill play area shuts to create more parking
A popular outdoor play area at Merry Hill has closed after shopping centre bosses decided they wanted to create more parking spaces.
The Quest entertainment zone said it had been asked to hand back the area, which is used by hundreds of families a week, by the centre's owners Intu, in a major blow to the company. It said it would also sell its high ropes course.
Quest said the outdoor play area, which includes a Nerf combat arena, was crucial to the business and that it would now need to make changes in order to survive.
Bosses from the company said they had 'tried to battle and fight to retain our space' but to no avail. It said Intu was keen to extend the car park at Merry Hill, creating more spaces where the play area currently is.
The outdoor play area has now closed and the company has said it will continue with its soft play area inside the shopping centre.
Quest has proved popular with families across the West Midlands and will be recognisable to the thousands of shoppers who use the centre.
The company has previously faced difficulties during its time at Merry Hill and was saved from closure last year in a last-minute buyout.
Quest said in a statement on its Facebook page: "Unfortunately Intu have requested that we hand back our outdoor area. They are making more parking spaces and do not like the inflatables as it does not fit with their corporate profile for the centre.
"We have tried to battle and fight to retain our space but with no success. The outdoor area is now closed and will also have a knock-on effect inside too.
"The revenue we make outside is vital to our success and without it we need to make changes to survive."
The firm has announced it will be cutting prices for the high ropes course during November before it disappears from the centre.
Dan Murphy, general manager at Merry Hill, said: "Our goal is always to create the very best experience for all our customers. As such we are currently reviewing how this space is used.
"We regularly talk to our tenants about our plans and how, together, we improve the appeal of the centre for the benefit of everyone."
