'Hot weather is leaving indoor play centres struggling to survive'

The owners of children's indoor play centres in Sheffield have warned that warm weather and rising financial pressures are "killing" their businesses.

Curious Kids Town's Rachael Parker said sessions that were usually fully booked were now being cancelled, and they could only survive for another six months if the situation did not improve.

The Association of Indoor Play said over a quarter of play areas in the UK reported they could be forced to close within the next 12 months, and 90% had a pessimistic outlook for the year ahead.

Ms Parker said: "Historically, we've been able to weather these sunnier days and quieter months, but it feels like there's no end in sight - it's soul-destroying."

The record-breaking dry spring and a warm May and June meant parents have instead spent time outdoors with their children.

Ms Parker added that children who did turn up often did not have anyone else to play with.

"We're looking at one or two sessions a day, with maybe two or three children at each session, and some days closing completely."

She said her employees, who are mostly local students, were also working reduced hours because she could not afford to pay them.

"Seasonal dips are accepted in May and June, but this year it started in March, and it literally feels like we've had perpetual sunshine and warm days since."

She said losses could be too great to survive until the end of the summer, and added that the cost of living crisis was also affecting the number of families who could pay the entry fees to her attraction.

Medieval Mayhem amusement centre owner Scott Melville said his business was experiencing a similar problem.

One morning, for example, he said only two children attended, "whereas normally we should have 40 or 50".

The attraction then ran at a loss of £170 once staff wages and utility bills were taken into account.

He said increases to the minimum wage had made a "dramatic difference" and rising business rates cost £2,000 every month, and they could only stay open for two or three months without change.

Association of Indoor Play CEO Maria Cantarella said: "Unless the government steps in with urgent action on VAT, business rates and employment taxes, we will see widespread closures before the year is out.

"Indoor play is a critical part of the childhood ecosystem, it supports child development, family wellbeing, and community cohesion."

A government spokesperson said: "We are a pro-business government. We are protecting the smallest businesses from the employer National Insurance rise, shielding 250,000 retail, hospitality and leisure business properties from paying full business rates and have capped corporation tax at 25%."

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