TheKidzBarn News & Analysis

Funzone Soft Play Centre Faces Closure After Low Summer Attendance

Jessica 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.