Parents left out of pocket on party deposits at doomed Go Bananas
Dozens of parents who paid deposits for children's parties at doomed Go Bananas which closed suddenly earlier this year have been told they won't receive a penny back.
As many as 90 families handed over £50 to secure a party booking at the soft play centre in Burntwood before it shut on January 16.
Fourteen workers who lost their jobs are still fighting for their wages and redundancy payout, although they are expected to be paid.
Administrators took control of the company, based in Smiths Close, on March 31 but the company's assets had already been sold. An investigation into the sale is now underway.
Go Bananas owner Tim Hall blamed the closure of the business on a rent dispute between himself and the landlord, London & Cambridge Properties (LCP).
While some parents managed to claim money back through their bank accounts after using debit and credit cards, liquidation firm Smith Cooper confirmed that parents who forked out £50 in cash will not get a refund.
Parents have been left furious at the decision.
Mother-of-three, Pippa Lewitt, from Rugeley set up a Facebook group for parents to fight to get their deposits back.
She said today: "I think it is shocking that as we paid by cash there is no way of this being refunded. Fifty pounds is a lot of money for families to lose."
Nick Lee, joint liquidator, said: "On the information currently available there is no prospect of a dividend to unsecured creditors.
"This means that deposit creditors who paid cash will not get a refund.
"The assets were sold by the director prior to the company being placed into liquidation. This transaction will be fully investigated by the liquidators."
A total of £4,500 is owed to parents for party deposits and £16,000 is owed to 14 employees for outstanding wages and redundancy pay.
The play equipment was advertised on online auction site eBay with a £40,000 price tag before the listing was removed.
Mr Lee added: "In the short time the business traded, Go Bananas was a highly regarded play centre with a growing customer base.
"Despite the hard work the new owners put in, the company was closed with immediate effect in January. This is a difficult time for the staff and we are currently assisting the employees claim their statutory entitlements."
Mr Hall declined to comment.
