Monkey Playland in Haslingden struggling with cost of living

Mohammed Sadiq took over as manager of Monkey Playland in 2018 and says energy bills have skyrocketed since the pandemic and cost of living crisis.

He is urging customers to visit the play centre, on Commerce Street, otherwise it will be forced to close on weekdays and only open at weekends.

Inside Monkey Playland in Haslingden (Image: Facebook/ Monkey Playland)

Mohammed said: “After covid the business footfall started to change and we were seeing fewer customers. I think people were a bit more wary, due to the virus and the cost of living crisis.

“After a year of staying open on Tuesday and Wednesday we decided to reduce our business hours because we just weren’t getting many customers.

“Now we are open the weekends and Thursday and Fridays.

Mohammed says he spends around £2,500 a month on gas bills alone, in winter. Before the cost of living crisis he says bills were around £1,500.

He said: “Our utility bills, including electricity to keep our play area and heaters to keep our little ones cozy, have skyrocketed.

“On top of that we continue to struggle to cover our staff wages on the weekdays when the foot traffic is low. Unfortunately, we are unable to break even on [weekdays] and it's impacting our ability to keep the soft play centre running smoothly.

“We only have around five customers through the door on these week days and by the time we have turned our gas and electric on and have staff in, we don’t make any money. I am paying out of my own pocket to stay open.”

Mohammed, who invested £65,000 into the play area just months before it was forced to close because of the pandemic, said the last few months have taken a toll on him.

He said: “It is a stressful time for me. I am just trying to make ends meet. Any money I get I invest back into the place.

“When we first got it there was nothing in it now we have installed bumper cars, bouncy castles, swing chairs – customers see what we are doing and they appreciate it.

“Running a soft play centre was always one of my dreams, I enjoy it."

Mohammed put a post out on Facebook letting customers know about the struggles the play centre is facing.

He is now urging customers, old and new, to support small businesses like his.

He said: “I decided to put the post out on Facebook to make customers aware that if we do close on Thursday and Friday it is because we have been struggling.

“It’s hard for the industry at the moment as all bill prices are increasing. We are just scrimping and scraping trying to cover our bills.

“We do a lot for the community, such as donating to charity and hosting sessions for children with special educational needs, but I feel like we are not really getting a lot back.”