HEARTBROKEN parents are mourning the loss of a popular children’s play centre south of Perth.
Chipmunks Port Kennedy has announced its final trading day will be on Sunday after the owners were unable to strike a viable lease deal with the landlord or secure a sale for the business.
The Port Kennedy Chipmunks was one of five children’s play centres in WA, with other franchises in Cockburn, Kelmscott, Wanneroo and Whitfords.
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READ NOWA Mandurah Chipmunks closed its doors in September.
Owners Mark and Sue McCallum said in a statement: “It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the closing of our play centre on December 15.
“We have used our best endeavours over the last eighteen months to strike a viable lease deal with the landlord or secure a sale for our business and whilst we have come close we have been ultimately unsuccessful,” they added.
“This has been an enormously emotional exercise for us as we tried as hard as we could not to lose the amenity the Chipmunks store provides to the local community. We have also been conscious of providing our staff the opportunity to continue to progress with a new owner.
“We would like to thank our fabulous staff; a number of whom you know and have been with us since the beginning. Without the loyalty and efforts of our team we would not have been able to provide a safe, clean, friendly environment for our customers.”
Customers who have booked a party or event for after December 15 will be contacted to arrange a return of their deposit.