BOLTON'S Alphabet Zoo children's play centre - opened in a former textile warehouse at a cost of £100,000 only three years ago - has closed down. But the new owners say they are "not giving up on Bolton" and hope to find less expensive premises to open up again. Managing director Mr David O'Byrne blamed losses and a recent rent review for the decision to close.

But the closure was only revealed to one distraught Bolton birthday boy, Ashley Whittle, when he arrived for his party.

Ashley and his friends turned up at the Prince Street play centre to discover the shutters down and doors locked.

His mother, Catherine, had paid a £20 deposit just over a week ago, intending to provide her son, who was nine on Tuesday and his pals with a day to remember.

The day after Ashley's disappointment, little Harley Fraser, from Atherton, who was six yesterday was heartbroken when her birthday party, also planned at the Prince Street centre, fell apart.

Her parents had been told two days prior to the party day that the centre had closed, but they say staff promised to provide a mini-bus to take the youngsters to the Whitefield centre. However, the transport did not arrive, leaving Harley, her 15 friends and their parents stranded in the rain. Eventually they made their way to the nearest McDonalds.

Harley's father, Stuart, has asked Alphabet Zoo for the return of his £20 deposit and the £65 he had to pay out for the last minute makeshift party at McDonalds, but without success. He is now threatening to take legal action against the company.

Although Alphabet Zoo refused to meet the costs quoted by Mr Fraser, the company offered to pay for a mini bus to take the youngsters to the Whitefield centre on a date of their choice for a free party with entertainer.

Managing director Mr O'Byrne said: "We were let down by the mini bus we had hired to take the party to Whitefield. It really was out of our hands. We thought we had sorted the party out, but then the unforeseen happened and the driver we had booked failed to turn up

"I can understand Mr Fraser's frustration, and have sent him a letter, with the £20 deposit, explaining our position."

Mr O'Byrne apologised to Catherine and Ashley Whittle, explaining that while all 30 pre-booked customers were telephoned and warned of the closure, she must have somehow "slipped through the net".

He added that the Bolton branch had been forced to close due to losses and a landlord's rent review.

He said: "We took the decision last Tuesday to close the branch and tried to contact all pre-booked parties to offer either their deposits back, a reduced rate at our Whitefield branch or even a booking at a competitor's premises.

"I do not understand how Mrs Whittle slipped through the net, but we will be sending her the deposit back with a letter of apology and free play vouchers for Whitefield."

Mr O'Byrne added: "We are not giving up on Bolton and are looking for another more suitable venue. In the meantime anyone who wants to travel to our Whitefield branch can do so at a reduced rate."

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