AN ENTERTAINMENT centre near Oswestry has announced it is closing for good because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Venue, in Burma Road, Park Hall, will not reopen following its closure during lockdown, with staff contracts being terminated with immediate effect.

The move does not affect football team TNS, who also play at the venue.

But the bowling alley and soft play area at the building, which have been closed during the pandemic and are yet to be given the green light to reopen, will now remain closed unless a new operator can be found.

A letter issued to staff by owner Mike Harris highlights the problems caused by lack of income during the lockdown.

The letter reads: “The business has now come to a position whereby it can not financially continue and following a meeting with accountants and banks they have advised it is not viable to continue.

“It is with great reluctance to advise you that we have no alternative other than to close down The Venue as a trading business with immediate effect.

“The landlord is actively seeking a tenant to take on part of the premises in the coming months.

“Consequently and regrettably it is necessary for me to advise you, your employment is terminated with immediate effect.”

Border Counties Advertizer:

Mr Harris insisted the decision was out of the business’ hands, and said it is not a decision he takes lightly.

He said: “Soft play, gyms and bowling are all locked down by the government for the foreseeable, so it isn’t in our ability to do anything about it.

“At this point in time, all these types of places are still closed and there’s no mention of them coming back any time soon.

“I think a lot of places will be going the same way – there’s no foreseeable sign of any of this opening.

“We’d like someone to continue what The Venue does in the future – we’ve been looking for someone to do that for some time.

“Until the government says anything different, we haven’t really got anything we can say about the decision.”

The football pitch at the site will still be used by JD Welsh Premier side, The New Saints, and Mr Harris is seeking a tenant to take over part of The Venue going forward.

He has offered support to any of the members of staff affected by the closure.

He said: “We don’t discuss individuals situations, but I know the furlough scheme has looked after them well over the past few months.

“If any of the staff feel as though there are any issues, they are more than welcome to contact The Venue – we’ve set up a help facility there this morning, so any issues they have, they can go through there.

“It’s tough times – it’s a great facility for Oswestry, and ultimately I’m sure it will reform in some way once the government allow these facilities to reopen.

“I can’t see people in the short term, with social distancing, wanting to be too close to other people.

“Some parents have chosen not to send their children back to school, so I can’t imagine they would want them to be using soft play areas.

“We can’t be held responsible for the government’s decisions to keep places closed.

“I think industries across the country have a very difficult time ahead over the next 12 months.

“This isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly, but if we can’t open, what can we do? It’s a shame and it will be a shame for many other leisure organisations.

“It’s tough on the people who have worked at The Venue – they’re good people, and I’m sure they’ll walk into new jobs.

“In the interim, there will be contact information available for staff who may be worried to get in touch with us, and we will try to offer any help we can.”