End of a long-running family venue
Activity World, a long-standing soft‑play attraction on Padholme Road in Peterborough, will cease trading in March 2027, its owner has announced. The centre, which first opened in 1996, has been a regular destination for local families for three decades but is facing closure after a sustained rise in operating costs.
Owner cites rising costs and changing business pressures
Owner Mike Boyle described the decision as “the end of an era” after welcoming “thousands and thousands of families” since the business began. In a statement explaining the closure, he pointed to the high price of the large premises that such leisure venues require, increasingly expensive business rates and sharply higher labour costs as the primary reasons behind the decision.
“The headache for a business like us is that we need a lot of space, and that costs a lot of money. Business rates are very expensive for our industry and labour costs have gone through the roof.”
Boyle said the centre will remain open for several months to allow customers to visit one last time and to “relive memories” before it finally shuts its doors. The announcement prompted an outpouring of messages from longstanding customers, he added, though some patrons had suggested the venue was in need of refurbishment.
Local impact and immediate consequences
The closure will lead to redundancies: Boyle confirmed 14 members of staff will lose their jobs when the business stops trading. No further details have been given about support for affected employees or any plans for the site after closure.
- Opening year: 1996
- Closure: March 2027
- Location: Padholme Road, Peterborough
- Staff affected: 14
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Years in operation | 1996–2027 (planned) |
| Reason given | Rising premises costs, business rates and labour costs |
| Public reaction | Messages of support; some noted venue needed upgrading |
Activity World was among the earlier soft‑play centres to open in the city and, as Boyle noted, has been part of many local childhoods. Its closure will reduce the number of indoor play options available to families in Peterborough, particularly affecting those seeking affordable, covered facilities for young children.
Broader context and unresolved questions
The owner acknowledged that changing times were a factor in his decision, saying “you can't keep it going forever”. He did not outline any immediate successor plans for the premises or indicate whether there had been discussions with potential buyers or alternative leisure operators. Nor were details provided on whether any measures will be offered to staff facing redundancy.
The announcement raises familiar questions about running costs for leisure businesses that require large indoor spaces. For similar venues, fixed costs such as rent, rates and staffing can be heavy burdens, particularly when footfall fluctuates or investment is needed to modernise facilities. Local families who have used Activity World for decades will now need to look elsewhere for comparable indoor play experiences.
The closure is also likely to prompt conversations among local policymakers, landlords and commercial leisure operators about the viability of family entertainment venues in Peterborough, and whether any incentives or support could help preserve such services.
Boyle said the decision had been difficult and that staff and customers had been central to the experience of running the centre. He described the last three decades as “great fun, a fantastic experience and a real pleasure”, and indicated the business would remain open to the public until the planned closure date to allow families time to visit.
