THE “HEARTBROKEN” owners of a children’s play centre in Warwick have had to close their doors suddenly after succumbing to “impossible economic” conditions.
Shelley Corbett and Alan Gleeson, who ran Children’s Play Village based in Warwick’s former rugby club, said they were sorry to have to deliver this news as they had worked so hard to recover from being closed for 18 months during Covid and battled the cost-of-living crisis of 2023.
They continued they had successfully restructured their business and finances last year and enjoyed a healthy Christmas and early 2025 however they could not have envisaged the autumn budget statement and the catastrophic effect it would have on hospitality businesses when changes started to take effect in April.
This, coupled with the added strain on so many families as their finances are further stretched, has meant they have found it impossible to continue and would work with interested parties in the hope that the village could open again with new owners.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the changes to employer’s National Insurance and other measures were necessary to fix the budget and fund services like the NHS.
Ms Corbett and Mr Gleeson opened the play village in April 2018 with the aim of providing an environment for both imaginative and physical play.
Children could roleplay in different jobs from florists to construction workers.
The duo announced the closure on Facebook.
The statement read: “The hospitality industry is suffering immeasurably right now and sadly we have succumbed to the impossible economic and trading conditions.
“Out amazing, talented and dedicated team have worked harder than you could ever know to keep the village going. We are simply heartbroken.
“Thank you for your support over eight wonderful years.”
The statement added that guests with bookings would be contacted.
Hundreds of former customers reacted to the news of the closure on the centre’s social media.
One said: “Children’s Play Village heartbreaking news. I always saw you as a role model for so many other play villages and always recommended you to my families. Very sad news but this is not a reflection on you. It’s tough running any business in the UK at the moment.”Another said:
“Children’s Play Village so sad to hear this, the autumn budget has made so many sensible well thought out businesses unviable.”
