Today in an open letter to the Government, the Association of Indoor Play (AIP), the UK’s trade body for the indoor play sector, have issued a stark warning about uncertain future of indoor play operators who are facing closure should the Government not take emergency action to help with energy costs.
The Children’s Alliance, commenting on the letter said, “At a time when there is a crisis in children’s mental health of epic proportions, we should be expanding our play facilities not closing them down and the new Prime Minster should intervene immediately to save indoor play for every child. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that the right to play is an unquestionable right for the health and well-being of EVERY child. The Prime Minister should back that statement by supporting the AIP today.”
This follows leading trade body UKHospitality’s call on the Government for urgent support for the wider leisure and hospitality industry which is bracing itself for a widespread business failure, leading to tens of thousands of job losses, persistent scarring to high streets and damaged social mobility.
Janice Dunphy, AIP Chair and owner of The Web Adventure Park in York said, “play operators are primarily smaller, privately owned businesses. Their energy bills are quadrupling at best. They simply do not have the margins in their businesses to cover the costs. Admission fees cannot be increased further – our customers are already feeling the pinch. Operators are already announcing reduced opening times and making staff cutbacks.”
For more information:
Maria Cantarella, Operations Director, Association of Indoor Play
M: 07785258150
E: admin@associationofindoorplay.org
W: www.associationofindoorplay.org
Office Tel. 0203 951 8640
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