THE owners of a popular soft play centre have pleaded with the people of Renfrewshire to help save their business.

Pandamonium, in Erskine, has been forced to keep its doors closed throughout the coronavirus pandemic over the past seven months.

As play centres across Scotland are in the same ‘high risk’ category as nightclubs, casinos and theatres, the business has remained shut since March, despite similar centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland being allowed to reopen in August.

Last week, Pandamonium opened its cafe for the first time in seven months, in a bid to generate some trade and save the jobs of the 25 staff who work there.

And bosses are urging local people to visit the cafe so the business is “still around” when it is finally allowed to operate as a play centre again.

Pandamonium director John Hay told The Gazette: “It doesn’t look as though the Scottish Government will allow us to open any time soon as a play area, particularly with this second wave.

“There are more than 100 centres like ours across Scotland in the same situation and we have formed an association to bring our plight to the attention of the public.

“It’s been pretty tough, to be honest. Our own business generates around £850,000 in a year and that has been lost.

“We have also had to return £20,000 in lost bookings.

“Our soft play business provides a vital service to the community by giving parents a break and giving their children some healthy exercise.”

Pandamonium, which opened in 2012, is said to have lost around £25,000 in bookings during the October half-term break alone.

Mr Hay added: “The Scottish Government have said we are a high risk but they can’t really give us a reason for that.

“We aren’t super-spreaders and we can socially distance.

“Play centres were among the first businesses to close and we are still closed. It’s a constant battle to survive.

“We are asking the people of Erskine, Bishopton and Inchinnan for their support in helping save our business.”

The Scottish Government said it doesn’t underestimate the severe impact the pandemic has had on play centres.

A spokesman added: “We are currently working with the sector to develop guidance for the reopening of soft play centres when it is safe for them to do so.”