Families across Reading are mourning the sudden closure of a popular soft play and party centre, The Mad House.

The venue, once a hub of activity for children and families, announced its closure without explanation on July 31, leaving employees and numerous families shocked and upset.

Since first hearing of this closure, many are now scrambling to find suitable alternatives for their children during the holidays, particularly as many independent centres are also closing.

According to the venue’s website, they were forced to shut their doors due to "unforeseen actions of their landlord". 

The lack of soft play areas in the vicinity has resulted in parents having to travel farther afield for similar facilities.

One resident and visitor of the venue, David Michael, expressed his disappointment, saying: "The owners and local community have lost another soft play.

"Regardless of your thoughts about the place think about the children who now need to go further afield for a soft play, the workers who are now unemployed and the owners who will have put everything into it only for it to fail due to their landlord.

"Sorry to see another one go best of luck to everyone who was working there."

Rebecca Farmery, another frequent visitor, showed up to the holiday club to find a locked door and a forfeiture notice.

She commented on the insensitivity of the timing, saying: "I get business is business but whatever issues Nuffield had I do think they could have timed this better!

"If it had to be done, ahead of the summer holidays would have given MH's customers time to find alternatives."

On contacting Nuffield, it was revealed that the Mad House sublet from them, while the actual building is owned by an unknown landlord.

A nostalgic visitor, Leanne Chard reflected how the place needed serious refurbishment, saying that 'it was quite dirty and needed a refurb'. She further expressed the inconvenience of having to travel farther for the kids' enjoyment which she said was an unfortunate impact of The Mad House closure.

The sudden closure of The Mad House has evidently left a void for numerous families in Reading, disrupting not only their plans but also bringing to light the growing issue of disappearing local play centres.