Soft play set up to help parents may have to close
Bumpyland in Tewkesbury opened in August 2022
- Published
The owner of a soft play centre set up to help parents meet each other may have to close.
Bumpyland owner, Lauren Brooks, is calling for support from the local community in a bid to save it.
The centre was set up in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, after Ms Brooks gave birth to her son and struggled to find somewhere to meet other parents.
She said: "The last few months have been really difficult, I have had to take out personal loans to keep the business running."
'Really difficult'
After four years of waiting and several rounds of IVF, Ms Brooks had her son Beau in January 2020. Whilst on maternity leave she struggled to find places to meet up with other new parents.
"He was a Covid baby and so I found that once everything opened up there wasn't anywhere to go for babies and children to play in Tewkesbury," she said.
Bumpyland saw its first customers come through the doors in August 2022 and the initial response was really positive and the business was doing well.
But Ms Brooks said things started to change.
"The fuel prices increased, interest rates went up, footfall started to drop off, parties weren't getting as booked up," she said.
"The last few months have been really difficult, I have had to take out personal loans to keep the business running."
Ms Brooks has been in contact with Tewkesbury Borough Council's Growth Hub for support and advice.
They offer a range of grants for businesses from £3,000 to £24,995 for those eligible with the next round of applications opening in September.
Councillor Richard Stanley said: "For businesses that are looking to grow or protect jobs then now is a really good time for businesses to get prepared to bid for funding."
Ms Brooks said time was now running short for the business.
"Unless something drastic changes or we see more support and footfall increasing, we will need to close the doors at the end of September," she said.
"If you don't use the soft play, it will not be here."
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