Coronavirus in Scotland: Edinburgh soft play owner criticises Government over lack of support and funding

The owner of an Edinburgh soft play centre says permanent closure is just ‘weeks away’, claiming the Scottish Government is treating the industry with ‘utter disdain’.

Craig Meikle, owner of the Edinburgh soft play centre that hasn't been able to reopen in over seven months.

The owner of an Edinburgh soft play centre says permanent closure is just ‘weeks away’, claiming the Scottish Government is treating the industry with ‘utter disdain’.

Craig Meikle, owner of Saltire Soft Play and Saltire Soccer Centre in Edinburgh, took to social media to plead with the Scottish Government for information on when soft play centres can reopen.

In a video, Mr Meikle revealed that in the seven months his business has been closed, he has received no financial support and is now only three weeks away from closing his

doors for good.

He said: "Tell us why we're closed when kids under 12 don't have to socially distance.

"Why do I have a trampoline park next door to me open and I'm not allowed to open? I am watching my business go down the pan so the very least I think I deserve is an explanation as to why we have to remain closed, while other businesses are allowed to open.

"Seven months we’ve been asking for guidance, did it take the government seven months to produce the guidance for pubs and restaurants to reopen, no it did not.”

Mr Meikle is part of a Scottish action group for the soft play industry with 150 members up and down the country.

He said: “I’m watching businesses everyday close their doors and for the government to say that they’re going to look at things in a few weeks isn’t good enough, there needs to be action now.

"They’ve told us that there is grant money coming for us but why is it taking so long?”

Mr Meikle went on in the video to read out a message that he had received from a young mum who relies on the soft play and is desperate for it to reopen.

The message read: "If I am honest I am really struggling, my wee one is so hyper and the only thing that helped him burn his energy was soft play, I am getting so ill because he won't sleep until midnight or 1am.

“We pass all the time and he shouts ‘soft play’. I've now run out of excuses, he's only two, he doesn't understand. I've never cried so much, honestly it is getting me down knowing winter is upon us and it is only going to get worse."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We do not underestimate the severe impact this pandemic has had on play centres across Scotland – but we are at a critical point, the virus is rising again and everyone must play their part in stopping its spread in Scotland."Provisional guidance for the re-opening of soft plays will be published shortly to allow businesses to prepare to re-open. A date for soft plays to re-open will be set when it is deemed safe to do so.

“A new £11 million Contingency fund will help businesses impacted by restrictions to slow the spread of covid-19 – this includes support for soft play centres.”