THE owner of a popular children’s soft play centre has expresses his frustration at being ordered to close his doors on Monday, just over a month after it reopened following the first Covid-19 lockdown.

From Monday, as Bradford moves into the strictest Tier 3 restrictions, soft play centres, as well as pubs and bars, casinos and betting shops, must close to customers in an effort to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

Adam Carver, who runs the Little Daisys soft play centre in Manor Lane, Shipley, has said he is “heartbroken” that he is being forced to close.

He said: “I’m heartbroken for my staff who will only get two-thirds of their wage, and for the mums and young children who now will have nowhere to go, and for the isolation, separation and anxiety it will cause.

“When we re-opened in late September, some mums were crying because they finally had somewhere to go with their little ones.

“Now they have nowhere to go, and I worry about them and their children.

“I’d like to know the difference between a child-friendly cafe and a soft play centre like ours.

“I don’t know why we are at the top of the target lists.

“October is usually our best month, but because of the restrictions on numbers and extra cleaning costs our income dropped by 40 per cent and we actually lost money.

“Winter is usually our best period with the cold weather, and new we have to close.

“We’ve not seen a penny of Tier 2 money but I think we will manage. I want Little Daisys to be here for the next five to ten years and we will find a way and make sure our staff get paid, but we can only do this for so long.

“If help doesn’t arrive soon, we won’t survive past a couple of months.”

Mr Carver said he had spoken to a local councillor, who told him the Tier 2 financial support from the Government will not arrive until mid-November, and then Tier 3 money will come after that.

He said he cannot apply for money to pay November wages until December.

“In the beginning Bradford Council were brilliant in getting me a grant, but since then I’ve had no business support and I haven’t seen a penny.”

Mr Carver said he wasn’t sure what the best way forward is, but is unconvinced by the Government’s tiered alert level system.

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results; the first lockdown didn’t work so why will a second one,” he added.

“The impact on people’s lives and mental health is far greater than the physical impact.”

Ronnie Hogg, landlord of the Malt Kiln pub in Undercliffe wished luck to fellow pub owners hoping to get through Tier 3 in business.

He said: “We’re so sorry to everyone about the news of closure on Monday, but if its got to be done then so be it,

“We all want health and safety back for us all so after this weekend us at the Malt will once again see you on the other side and bounce back.

“All the luck in the world to all my fellow landlords and landladies, not just in Bradford but all over; stay strong, keep fighting, don’t give up and let’s support each other. To all my loyal customers, stay safe we all love you at the Malt.”