Play centre blames closure on Chancellor statement

A children's play centre has announced its immediate closure, due to the "catastrophic effect" of the Chancellor's autumn budget statement.

Children's Play Village, based in Warwick's former rugby club, made the announcement on Facebook on Tuesday.

It said the eight-year-old business had worked hard to recover after the pandemic, and had "battled" the cost of living crisis, but the changes in the statement had taken their toll when introduced in April.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the changes to employer's National Insurance and other measures were necessary to fix the budget and fund services like the NHS.

"We successfully restructured our business and finances last year, and enjoyed a healthy Christmas and early 2025," the business said.

"However, we could not have envisaged the autumn budget statement and catastrophic effect it would have on hospitality businesses when changes started to take effect in April," the business said.

The statement thanked visitors for their support and said guests with bookings would be contacted.

"We continue to work with interested parties and hope that The Village will be open again with new owners," it said, adding: "We are simply heartbroken."

Hundreds of former customers reacted to the news on the centre's social media.

"We love the SEN [special educational needs] sessions there," said one commenter. "Staff is so lovely and the place is just amazing. I'm gutted at this news."

"So sad for you and the families who enjoyed the play village," said another. "I was there on Saturday with my 3 year old who absolutely loved it. Lots of happy memories there with my eldest. Will be a big loss to the local area."

In November, top pub and restaurant bosses warned the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, that tax rises in the budget would "unquestionably" cause closures and job losses.

In a letter, more than 200 signatories said the hospitality industry was disproportionately impacted by an "unsustainable" hike in the amount employers pay in National Insurance contributions (NICs).

At the time, the chancellor said the change in NICs would generate £25bn, which would aid funding of public services, such as the NHS.

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