A protest was held outside of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday afternoon calling on the Scottish Government to allow children’s soft play areas to reopen.
Last month it was announced that indoor organised activities for children, such as parent and toddler groups, could reopen. However, soft play areas were not included in this, which has raised significant concern amongst soft play owners and staff who now fear having to permanently close their businesses.
Amongst those protesting on Wednesday was Craig Meikle, owner of the Saltire Centre in Mayfield, Midlothian. He has had to make nine members of staff redundant, whilst furloughing a further seven. The business has had to take out £100,000 in loans which has not covered the costs of their rent, insurance and other regular expenditures.
Mr Meikle has said:
“We have been closed since the 20th March but, in reality, have had no income from as far back as the start of March when customers stopped attending due to government advice to avoid social gatherings.
“I understand these are difficult and uncertain times but whilst the Scottish Government has said under-12s do not need to socially distance, my business, which is for younger children is not allowed to reopen even though I can demonstrate it can be done safely.”
Scottish Conservative MSP for Lothian, Jeremy Balfour, spoke to Mr Meikle at the protest and has added his voice to the campaign, saying:
“It is frustrating to hear of the financial hardships of local soft play businesses like the Saltire Centre, particularly when they have put measure in place that would allow them to open safely and their counterparts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been allowed to open.
“There is no reason that a soft play area, only available to children under the age of 10, should be forced to remain closed when all children under the age of 12 across Scotland do not have to social distance.
“I urge the Scottish Government to allow soft play areas with suitable measures in place to reopen, and to ensure that these businesses can survive so that children may continue to enjoy them after this pandemic is over.”