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Soft play centre to close after ten years
A soft play centre in south Bristol has announced it is to close after ten years, sparking sadness within the community.
I-Play Soft Play, which is part of Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle, says it has decided to close its doors “after a lot of thought”.
The facility will open to the public for the last time on Saturday, and it has begun selling its tables, chairs and catering appliances online.
is needed now More than ever
The closure of I-Play comes just days after plans to redevelop Broadwalk Shopping Centre were rejected, and follows a number of recent shop closures in the centre.
I-Play Soft Play, which is part of Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle, is closing – photo: I-Play
In a statement on social media, I-Play said: “So there are a lot of rumours going around in regards to the closure of I-Play. We are gutted to confirm that the rumours are true and that after a lot of thought we have decided it’s time to close the I-Play doors.
“We would like to take this time to thank all of our lovely customers that we have been lucky enough to meet over the last ten years.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure being able to host birthday parties and events and we hope that we’ve been able to create great memories for all of your little ones.”
In the statement, I-Play do not specify their reasons for closing. Bristol24/7 has approached them for further comment.
The closure comes after plans for a £200m redevelopment of Broadwalk Shopping Centre were rejected – photo: Charlie Watts
On Facebook, mums have reacted with sadness to the closure, with one writing: “Really sad to hear this. Spent many a happy time here, with my late mum and my little boy.”
Another said: “My kids have grown up going here and it was so handy when they were tiny and we needed to get out of the house for a while. Many happy hours spent here and a lot of tea drinking!”
And a third wrote: “Where am I meant to spend my maternity leave now?”
The developers say they will “review our next steps” following the rejection – photo: Redcatch Quarter
The closure of I-Play comes after plans to knock down Broadwalk Shopping Centre and build up to 850 flats in its place were rejected by the council’s planning committee on Wednesday.
Following the decision, a spokesperson for Redcatch Development Partnership – who want to develop the site – told Bristol24/7: “We were disappointed with the outcome, as we sought to bring forward proposals for a once in a generation opportunity to redevelop a failing shopping centre, which no longer serves the needs of the Knowle community.
“In line with Bristol’s goals, the proposals focussed on providing much needed new homes on a complex brownfield site in a sustainable location.
“Notwithstanding the outcome, we have taken many positives away from the meeting and over the next few weeks we will review our next steps”
In recent times, a number of businesses in the shopping centre have shut, including a gym, B&M Bargains and an American-style diner.
Main photo: I-Play
Read next:
- Gym closed ahead of shopping centre redevelopment
- Two more shops in shopping centre to close
- American-style diner to close
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