THE owner of a mothballed Renfrewshire soft play centre has welcomed a £50,000 government cash lifeline...but warned it is merely a “short-term fix.” 

John Hay has been forced to keep Pandamonium, in Erskine, closed since March, as it is in the same Covid ‘high risk’ category as nightclubs, casinos and theatres.

Following a campaign, grants of between £25,000 and £50,000 are now being made available by the Scottish Government.

Mr Hay told The Gazette: “We’re pleased there has finally been some recognition of our financial plight. The money is much appreciated and been hard fought for.

“We have waited seven-and-a-half months for this. However, this is just a short-term fix for a business of our size.

“Even if we do qualify for a full £50,000 grant, it’s a drop in the ocean to what we normally generate.

“What we really want is to open and trade as normal, seven days a week.”

Government grants to the likes of Pandemonium will be linked to the rateable value of the premises.

Business minister Jamie Hepburn said: “We know that soft play centres have been particularly badly hit by this pandemic. Unlike the majority of businesses, they have not been allowed to open since March.

“These grants take account of those exceptional circumstances.”