'We are being overlooked': Soft-play area fears closure due to uncertainty
The owner of an indoor soft-play centre for children has hit out at the Government's decision for them to remain closed.
Helena Diffey, 41, from Coven, has ran Jungle Boogie soft-play in Codsall for the past eight years.
The centre has been closed since the start of lockdown in March, and despite restrictions easing and more businesses reopening in the leisure sector there is still no date in sight for indoor play centres like Jungle Boogie.
Helena is now feeling the strain, not just financially but also on her mental wellbeing.
She said: "I can see it disappearing before my eyes, it's like I'm living in limbo. It is really stressful.
"A lot of money was invested to set up the soft-play. We have worked hard for years to build up our reputation and attract customers from different areas.
"Before lockdown we were having our best year yet and were even looking at hiring more staff.
"Now we have had to make 60 per cent of our staff redundant.
"We are looking at alternative activities, such as bear stuffing, workshops, cookery classes and character lunches.
"A lot of families have been in touch and have been so supportive, and have even offered to set up fundraisers and join in with whatever activities we put on to help keep the business going."
Missing
Jungle Boogie is part of BALPPA, which has over 300 members and represents the interests of the UK’s commercial leisure parks, piers, zoos, visitor attractions and family entertainment and indoor play centres.
Despite BALPPA submitting guidelines of how indoor play areas can safely reopen to Government, there is still no help available.
Helena added: "More than anything we want to get across that we are being unsupported by the Government, it is us and nightclubs who have been forgotten.
"Every single day other play centres are pulling the plug as they cannot reopen.
"There is a big effect on owners mental health and the children who can't understand why they can't come back, they have been through enough.
"If it is safe for nurseries to return with no social distancing why can't we? I feel like a missing part of the jigsaw and being overlooked."
