We run a family soft play business within the London Borough of Hounslow. With a second lockdown, & given a potential possibility of this being extended beyond a month, we are being forced to consider closing our doors completely. We are a community based business & have run our business for the past 6yrs, to make our centre have the family-run feel & atmosphere.

Our concern now lies with the potential damage this will cause to the mental health of our younger generation. Many of our customers literally reached out to us, asking if there was anyway we could remain open. Many are single parent families, carers/parents who look forward to a couple of hours outside their homes, whilst their children play, exert their energy, socialise - all whilst they can just enjoy a cup of tea - basically an escape for themselves & their children.

Many customers agree with the question, if children are allowed to still go to school/nursery, what happens to those children who are too young? They are being 'forced' to isolate despite being in contact with siblings who have been 'potentially exposed' to what many refer to as 'classroom bubbles'....we don't know where each & every child has been when outside of that 'bubble'!?! Centres like ourselves are seen to be far more clean & sanitised than even the schools or any venue that are visited routinely by parents/carers. In a bid to 'protect the economy' the government are failing to recognise all businesses & prioritising what they feel fit & what they believe brings in the most money to the economy. They are only prioritising children of school age but what about all those young children below age of 3yrs? What about all those new mums with very young children - where are they able to go? We are now in the midst of winter season, outdoor (unclean) playgrounds or the local park are hardly an option when the cold & flu season is already been seen a huge problem!

The first lockdown saw our industry remain closed for nearly 6months even though we were offered the same support & same promises as other businesses, who opened immediately after the lockdown. The Play industry has been tarnished - yet we have invested the most time & effort to create a safe haven for all. Already running at very low capacity but trying to survive, we are now being forced to close, even though, many would still view us safer & cleaner.

Our business has been part of this community & to say we love our business & job would be an understatement.