Funzone Soft Play Centre Faces Closure After Low Summer Attendance
Published on · Source: bbc.co.uk
AI Summary
Summarized by AI from the source belowJessica Harvey, owner of Funzone soft play centre in Whitchurch, north Shropshire, reports the business struggles due to low customer numbers over a hot summer. The centre had just 10 to 15 visitors across entire weeks, which is unsustainable. Funzone, operating as a soft play area for 17 years, was purchased by Harvey in October 2025 after the previous owning company went into liquidation.
Harvey detailed the heavy personal and financial investment required to maintain the centre, including extended working hours and refurbishments. Despite support from VAT relief and air conditioning, another owner, Galbraith, described the business as "really tight" financially, with rising costs and rents threatening viability. Separately, The Kidz Barn in Kidderminster announced its closure planned for January 2026, citing difficult times and pandemic hardships.
This situation highlights how seasonal factors and rising operating costs are putting pressure on soft play centres like Funzone and The Kidz Barn. For investors and operators in this niche leisure market, these events signal potential risks from fluctuating customer demand and increasing expenses, impacting revenue sustainability and operational continuity.
Informational only, not financial advice. Content is AI-generated and may contain errors. How this works.
Our take
Opinion from the Newsstocks AI desk, not investment adviceThe financial strain and low season attendance make it difficult for Funzone and similar businesses to remain viable. Cost relief measures provide some support, but increasing rents and weak customer numbers are significant threats. Unless attendance improves or costs stabilize, these centres face ongoing risk of closure.
Key numbers
- Weekly visitors over summer
- 10 to 15 people
- Funzone purchase date
- October 2025
- The Kidz Barn closure date
- January 2026
- Lease term length
- 10-year lease
What could help
- 5% VAT relief and air conditioning helped Funzone manage summer operational costs.
What could hurt
- Low customer attendance with only 10 to 15 visitors per week impairs revenue.
- Rising rent and other costs challenge the financial sustainability of centres.
- The Kidz Barn closure points to broader difficulties in the soft play sector.
What to watch next
The Kidz Barn's soft play centre will close in January 2026 and be put up for sale.
The background
Soft play centres offer indoor play spaces targeted at children and families. Their business is often seasonal, affected by factors like weather and holidays.
Questions readers ask
Why is Funzone soft play centre struggling?
Funzone struggled due to very low visitor numbers during a hot summer, with only 10 to 15 people attending in a week, making the business unsustainable.
When was Funzone purchased by Jessica Harvey?
Jessica Harvey purchased Funzone in October 2025 after the previous owning company went into liquidation.
What is happening to The Kidz Barn soft play centre?
The Kidz Barn announced it would close in January 2026 and be put up for sale due to financial pressures.
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