Partington play centre shuts down due to rising costs

The Hideaway Play Centre in Partington started life in April 2018, located at Partington Shopping Centre on Central Road, with its main goal to help families in the area and elsewhere in Trafford.

It had an educational play facility for children and a cafe, alongside the Hideaway was The Hope Centre which included many things for the community from a Step-up programme, employment support, training workshops, and support groups, this was based on Wood Lane and helped in a big way during the pandemic.

So it was shocking news that on 27 December the Hideaway could not continue to operate due to National Minimum Wage and Employers National Insurance increases with zero exemptions for charities. The curtains had to come down on the Hideaway.

Initially, the idea was to close the Hideaway properly in the new year after financials were checked on 23 December and all options to try and save the play centre/Hope Centre had not worked out. The Hideaway Cafe will remain open to use the remaining stock.

Financial support for the Hideaway in the form of donations apparently fell flat and with rising costs, the Hideaway couldn’t make ends meet. We are aware the charity did apply for funding, but it seems this failed.

Although at this time things look bleak, it’s still early days and it could yet be saved or at the very least parts of it. Having checked the latest financial figures to hand, which clearly show a deficit in profits, we do question the transparency over what was spent other than the obvious for the Charity to go broke.

The CEO of Hidden Treasure Trust, Ruth Lancey, said:

“We are all devastated that this incredible charity has come to an end in this way. Our team is exceptional, and none of us deserve to be facing this situation at all, let alone at Christmas. The impact of the closure will be felt in the community and borough, and we are deeply grateful to our staff, volunteers, supporters, and visitors who have been part of our journey. We will do all we can to support our staff, our clients, and our customers as we look forward to finishing in the most positive way possible despite the awful circumstances. It is my personal hope that decision-makers with power and authority to alleviate pressure on charities like ours take note and that this horrible situation becomes a catalyst for change of policy, and that we will see positive action for others in similar positions.”