23-05-2025
West Lothian play space forced to close with 'so many bills' and drop in users
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A West Lothian play centre is urging locals to help them keep their doors open - after an 'all time low' in users.
Managers at Let's Rock The Spectrum in Armadale said visitors had dropped so low they had 'no option' but to close for almost a week. After fundraising they were able to cover some costs - though are asking locals to donate, if they can, to keep the space going.
This comes after the sunny weather over Scotland was 'keeping numbers down'. On May 15, centre bosses said that rising temperatures saw their visitors drop drastically.
Let's Rock The Spectrum opened up in October 2023, and aims to provide all children with a nurturing space to play - with a focus on those with additional support needs. Rachel O'Neil, who launched the business, returned home from working abroad for 12 years and said there 'no play spaces designed with ASN kids in mind'.
Now, they're asking for support as they look to 'continue serving the community'.
Posting to Facebook, they said: "We have raised just over the 50 percent mark and are so overwhelmed with everyone's kind words of support and donations!
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"It truly means so much knowing what our wee space means to the community. For the last month, we have had an all time low in the number of people using our space.
"So much so, we had no option but to close for almost a week. We now have enough to cover May's rent (that was late) and June's rent is almost due.
"In between this, we have SO many costs and bills that we have to cover with absolutely no income from the play space itself. We have invested so much of our time and money into the space and truly don't mind doing so- but we just cannot continue to sustain the space if people don't use it.
"We hope numbers rise again and hope to see you all at our events and birthday parties too. We hope to get past this and continue to be around for a long time to come.
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"But we do need help just now to cover the large amount of rent due in order to keep open! Every single pound helps. If you can't donate, please share."
One local resident replied: "Aw sorry to hear this, hope you guys come through this."
Another added: "Sad but totally understandable. We've been guilty of going out and enjoying the sun rather than coming for a play but will be back."
A third posted: "Sorry to hear this, my kids love this place."
