A popular Burntwood soft play area is facing permanent closure after a dispute between the owners and landlords.
Go Bananas – which was only saved from shutting in July – had originally hoped to find a new home after being informed that the on Chasetown Industrial Centre could no longer be used.
But the owners have now posted on Facebook that the equipment is being sold, meaning the possibility of it remaining open appears to be over.
“Go Bananas Burntwood Ltd had a ‘tenancy at will’ contract with the landlord. In the contract it states that either they or the tenant may cancel the contract at any time.
“Sadly, we didn’t realise that they have the rights to change the locks at any time and not give any notice. Legally by law they are in the right to do this.”
The closure has left many people who had book birthday parties at the soft play area in limbo.
The owners added: “We are trying to resolve customer refunds by seeking legal advice. We will be in touch very soon.
“As we cannot get into the property as yet, This cannot happen straight away, but we are dealing with the situation, as we have lots of different things to deal with at the moment.
“I would like to apologise again for everything that has happened, as we have invested heavily into the business. This was the last thing we wanted to happen.
“Please understand that what has happened was out of our control and we are deeply sorry.”
Go Bananas later posted that they needed to sell the equipment as the building must be vacated by the end of this week.
An online petition has now been launched in a bid to force a rethink by the landlords.
Donna Acton, who started the petition, said: “If we lose Go Bananas from Burntwood, this means that we will never have another softplay area in the area.
“Since the new owners took over last year they have transformed it and made it a centre of the community. As a mum myself with three children, I want somewhere safe, clean and a fun environment
and Go Bananas ticked all the boxes.”