Jungletastic will formally cease trading in May, although it is unlikely the centre will reopen before then.
COVID-19 restrictions placed pressure on the soft play centre, having a significant and detrimental impact on trading, from which the business has been unable to recover. Having been ordered to shut back in March 2020, and whilst trading did recommence in September last year this was arguably more detrimental due to the restrictions in place.
Sarah Simmonds, a director of the Company comments “It is with great sadness and regret that we have to announce the permanent closure of Jungletastic Soft Play Centre.
Our 2 families set Jungletastic up in 2008 in the very popular area of Nuthall, in a run-down building that had been left empty for nearly 2 years. The decision to permanently close has been the hardest one that we have had to make after all these years but due to Covid-19 and the foreseeable restrictions, we are no longer able to sustain the business.”
Jungletastic have appointed experts from Smith Cooper’s Business Recovery and Insolvency division to wind the business up in the most efficient way possible, a process that will be led by Partner and Insolvency Practitioner, Michael Roome.
Michael comments: “Many businesses within the leisure sector have been facing existential pressures in the last year, fuelled by the COVID-19 crisis, and Jungletastic is no exception. It was difficult, if not impossible, for the owners of Jungletastic to adapt. Whilst the owners sought advice early on, sourcing financial support and optimising the resources available, it unfortunately wasn’t enough to future-proof the business.”
“At this point in time, our priority is to support the employees impacted by the cessation of the business and the customers who had paid deposits that will no longer be fulfilled.”
Michael Roome
Sarah Simmonds added: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful customers that have visited us and allowed us to help create so many happy memories over the years, we have made so many friends along the way and will always appreciate the support you have all given us.
We would also like to say a huge big thank you to our staff, past and present, as without you all we wouldn’t have got this far. You all worked so hard, and whilst we may all have a few more grey hairs, we had fun!
We will definitely cherish all of the memories that we take away with us and remember all the fun times (and not so fun times) that we’ve had along the way. We are going to miss you all dearly and wish you the very best for the future”.
If you have been affected by the closure of Jungletastic and have any questions, please contact Campbell O’Brien at Smith Cooper by emailing [email protected] or calling 0115 945 4331.