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| Hampshire play centre to close as 'children too noisy' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A play centre says it is being forced to close because the children using it make too much noise. | A play centre says it is being forced to close because the children using it make too much noise. |
| Little Play Town in Odiham, Hampshire, has been served with a noise abatement order by Hart District Council after the businesses below it complained. | Little Play Town in Odiham, Hampshire, has been served with a noise abatement order by Hart District Council after the businesses below it complained. |
| Solutions to reduce the noise, which the council says is due to "poor quality flooring", have failed. | Solutions to reduce the noise, which the council says is due to "poor quality flooring", have failed. |
| The centre's owner's Virna Browne said: "As we can't fix it, the landlord is evicting us." | The centre's owner's Virna Browne said: "As we can't fix it, the landlord is evicting us." |
| Little Play Town is above a cafe and gift shop in Fountains Mall and offers a role play environment for youngsters aged seven and under. | Little Play Town is above a cafe and gift shop in Fountains Mall and offers a role play environment for youngsters aged seven and under. |
| Ms Browne said her family was facing the prospect of losing savings of £85,000 while 10 staff members would be out of job. | Ms Browne said her family was facing the prospect of losing savings of £85,000 while 10 staff members would be out of job. |
| The manager of the cafe refused to comment, saying the matter was "in the hands of her solicitor". | The manager of the cafe refused to comment, saying the matter was "in the hands of her solicitor". |
| In an online post, she added: "We would like everyone to know that we had no idea that the building would provide issues when we signed the lease and we never had any intention to make a noise and upset anyone. | In an online post, she added: "We would like everyone to know that we had no idea that the building would provide issues when we signed the lease and we never had any intention to make a noise and upset anyone. |
| "We've been working every day for over a year to rectify the problems that the neighbours have subsequently had. | "We've been working every day for over a year to rectify the problems that the neighbours have subsequently had. |
| "We feel we have been treated very unfairly by some of those opposed to our business." | "We feel we have been treated very unfairly by some of those opposed to our business." |
| Ms Browne said the "final straw" came when a complaint was made over a party planned this weekend for children with disabilities. | Ms Browne said the "final straw" came when a complaint was made over a party planned this weekend for children with disabilities. |
| Work to soundproof the premises has been refused by the council "due a lack of detail provided" on the impact on the structure of the building and its listed building status. | Work to soundproof the premises has been refused by the council "due a lack of detail provided" on the impact on the structure of the building and its listed building status. |
| It is not clear how long the play centre, which opened a year ago, has left before it has to shut but Ms Browne urged people "to come and visit us for one last time". | It is not clear how long the play centre, which opened a year ago, has left before it has to shut but Ms Browne urged people "to come and visit us for one last time". |
| Nearly 500 people have supported the centre on social media. | Nearly 500 people have supported the centre on social media. |
| Chrissy Cleator, who is a regular visitor with her five-year-old daughter Mia, said: "It's absolutely brilliant, the kids love it. I don't understand why you want to take something like this away from the community. | |
| "I understand it could be frustrating for the people underneath but [the centre is] trying to give options to solve the issues." | |
| Ali Freeman posted on social media: "I am so very sorry to hear this and disgusting behaviour from both the businesses involved and the council." | |
| Lee-Ann Brown wrote: "Such sad news, families and children are losing a much-needed resource." | Lee-Ann Brown wrote: "Such sad news, families and children are losing a much-needed resource." |
| While Hannah Fullbrook-Smith posted: "This is outrageous. The one place my son feels comfortable enough to play. I am so sorry for you all and shocked at this decision." | While Hannah Fullbrook-Smith posted: "This is outrageous. The one place my son feels comfortable enough to play. I am so sorry for you all and shocked at this decision." |
| On a crowdfunding page set up to help the centre, Claire Smite wrote: "So sorry you've had to go through this. | |
| "I hope that the fundraising will make a difference and you can stay open or move to a different venue." | "I hope that the fundraising will make a difference and you can stay open or move to a different venue." |