Operator Camden Leisure blames staff costs and lack of financial support for the closure of Playzone at Checkers superstore. Store owner Sandpiper has decided to close the children’s area on 4 April, leading families to boycott the shop in protest.
But it is not only islanders who feel let down.
Camden MD Dave Watson, speaking from the UK, said: ‘We are very disappointed for the staff.
‘We would love to stay but without a partner it can’t continue.
‘We have looked at all sorts of options including charging a higher rate, but you are looking at five-figure support from Sandpiper,’ said Mr Watson.
He confirmed that Camden Leisure, which provides childcare and support services for retail operations, had been in consultation with Le Riche’s for about 18 months.
‘Unfortunately the stand-alone creche facility is not a commercial proposition in itself.
‘We are registered with social services and we have fixed staff-to-children ratios,’ said Mr Watson.
‘There had to be a level of financial support to offset the costs,’ he said. ‘Le Riche’s have supported us since inception in 2002.’
A total of 2,400 children had used the facility, he confirmed.
What set Playzone apart from other such areas was, he said, the registered creche. A similar facility in Jersey was also closing.
Sandpiper chief executive Tony O’Neill, pictured below left, said that the outsourced facility had continued to incur operating losses for the last six months. These were now into five figures.
About 100 children a day used Playzone and to make it cost-effective, the charge would have to quintuple.
‘Clearly that would not be sustainable or welcomed,’ he said.
Sandpiper rejected the suggestion that it had avoided a protest meeting last Friday.
‘An original meeting had been cancelled and they were unable to make the rearranged time with just two hours’ notice,’ said Mr O’Neill.
‘Camden are a highly professional operation and have worked at it as much as they can. It is just not sustainable at the moment.’
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