Go Bananas parents given helping hand on party deposits
A playgroup is helping out-of-pocket parents by offering to honour party deposits paid to a shut-down children's play centre.
Parents who lost £50 when Go Bananas in Burntwood closed suddenly last month have been invited to hold their parties at PlayTime Cannock in Hednesford.
Carl Painter, aged 22, is the manager at the centre on Anglesey Business Park and said it was an instant reaction to help families affected.
He said: "We saw the upset on Facebook over the closure and decided to offer parents an alternative.
"It was an on-the-spot decision to help them out and we have been inundated with enquires."
PlayTime Cannock have honoured existing bookings and deposits after Go Bananas in Smiths Close closed on January 16.
It shut over a rent dispute between the owner Tim Hall and landlord London & Cambridge Properties.
Mr Painter said: "It is a lot of money to lose and a lot of money to find again, especially when you have children. We didn't want to see parties cancelled and children left upset.
"We were manic the first weekend after Go Bananas closed and since it has been announced that it won't reopen, we have had many more people transfer their future dates."
Owner Tim Hall announced on Monday that Go Bananas would not reopen and the business had gone into liquidation.
Parents owed money are now waiting be contacted by administrators.
Mr Painter said: "Parents just have to show proof of payment, a receipt or bank statement showing the deposit paid and we will honour their existing bookings.
"We won't ask parents for any money when they book with us and the £50 deposit they paid to Go Bananas will be taken off the cost of having the party with us."
PlayTime Cannock is open seven days a week and is suitable from babies up to 12 years old.
Entry is £3 Monday to Friday during term time and at weekends and school holidays entrance is £3.75 for children under three, £4.25 over three and babies under 12 months and adults are free.
The play centre can hold up to 40 children per party.
The centre was closed at the start of this week for a two day refurbishment and reopened today.
Mr Painter said: "Visitors will notice the equipment has been upgraded and we have provided extra seating. The private party area can now be closed off too and we have also given the whole site a make over."
To book call 01543 877957 or visit www.playtimecannock.co.uk
