East Lothian Courier | News | Fun over as kids' soft play centres close

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 13th December, 2007 09:30

Fun over as kids' soft play centres close

PANICKING parents whose children’s birthday parties were placed in jeopardy by the sudden collapse of the Junglee Fun softplay empire have had their prayers answered.

Around half a dozen families who had booked the company’s Haddington branch for private parties faced massive disappointment when the company, owned by businesswoman Samantha Rollo, closed without warning last month.

However, they have found a haven in Dunbar, thanks to the women who took over the Dunbar Junglee Fun franchise on High Street in May.

Alison Jones and Helen Muir, who have renamed the venue Steamy Dreams, have been inundated with calls from anxious mums and dads in recent weeks after the simultaneous closure of Junglee Fun’s Haddington and Musselburgh branches left their business as the only privately-run softplay cafe in East Lothian.

Alison said: “We didn’t want to see kids being let down and we were only too happy to help out. Fortunately, we have been able to fit them all in.”

It is understood that Steamy Dreams has charged a nominal fee to host the rescued parties.

It is not clear how many Junglee Fun party deposits or how many memberships – costing up to £60 for an annual pass – have been refunded by Ms Rollo, who recently filed for bankruptcy at Dingwall Sheriff Court.

Alison and Helen say Junglee Fun memberships will remain valid at Steamy Dreams.

As many as eight full-time and part-time jobs have gone with the closure of the Haddington and Musselburgh franchises.

Play equipment in the Haddington premises has been removed and shop owner Simon Kesley, whose Kesley’s Bookshop is next door, is currently using the frontage to display giant jigsaw puzzles.

The Junglee Fun empire, which was established five years ago, boasted a total of seven branches across Scotland – also at Dalkeith, Biggar, Dundee and Uddingston.

However, it appears that mounting financial problems have forced Mrs Rollo to call time.

According to court papers published in the latest edition of the Edinburgh Gazette, her estate was sequestrated under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 at Dingwall on October 25.

Gillian Thompson, an Ayrshire-based accountant in bankruptcy, has been appointed by the court to act as interim trustee on the sequestrated estate.

Ms Rollo, whose address was given as Castle Lodge, Lower Balcowie, Evanton, could not be reached for comment.

Sarah Scott, 33, of Port Seton, who regularly took her sons to Haddington Junglee Fun, was shocked and disappointed at its closure.

“It was a really handy place for youngsters to let off steam, and for mums to enjoy a coffee,” said Mrs Scott.

“I think they had to make their money through food and drink, as the cost of play was quite cheap, but they never seemed to take that much through the till.”

And she added: “I think many mums like me will be disappointed to see them go.”

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