An East Kilbride soft play and inflatable park has been closed due to "serious safety breaches", according to landlords.
Lollipop Land and Bouncestation East Kilbride, based in the town's Playsport facility, posted notices on their social media on Monday afternoon, announcing their immediate closure because of "unforseen circumstances".
Whilst Bouncestation cited an "issue with our landlord that is out with our control," Lollipop Land said they will be "relocating to new premises in the near future".
But Playsport today released a statement confirming it had "terminated the lease agreement pertaining to Lollipop Land with immediate effect" and won't "tolerate unsafe practices".
Posting online, they say the action has been taken following several compliance issues and serious breaches of health and safety regulations.
Playsport told Lanarkshire Live on Tuesday: "Lollipop Land has carried out major alterations without the consent of the landlord and without approved warrant applications from building control at South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) or fire safety assessments.
"These spaces have been utilised for high numbers of occupants, mainly young children on an ongoing basis.
"Lollipop Land then permitted another business, known as Bouncestation, to set up and utilise the rear of the unit without approved warrant applications from building control at SLC, fire safety assessments or landlord approvals.
"The combination of both businesses operating together resulted in power used at the property regularly exceeding the maximum capacity causing significant overheating of the power circuits and creating an immediate fire risk."
Bouncestation have however hit back at Playsport, saying they were never directly served with any notices.
A spokeswoman told us they are "a separate business" that sub-lets an area from Lollipop Land - after carrying out remedial work to free up access to a fourth fire door, she said they were cleared to trade by SLC building control and the fire officer who visited shortly before Christmas.
The spokeswoman added: "We have done everything we have been asked to do and never had direct contact with the landlord over the issues raised."
Lollipop Land said they were aware of Playsport's claims, but did "not wish to comment".
A Playsport source told us they 'have a contract with Lollipop Land, not Bouncestation'.
A spokesman added: "In addition, inspections of the premises found that fire escape routes had been regularly blocked during operation.
"As such Lollipop Land were served with a notice outlining the serious nature of these breaches. The notice provided Lollipop Land with the opportunity to remedy these breaches to the satisfaction of the Landlord within 24 hours.
"Despite this notice, no effective action was taken by either Lollipop Land or Bouncestation who both continued to trade as normal with high volumes of customers.
"Consequently, Playsport has now terminated the Lollipop Land lease and instructed them to discontinue trading immediately. Neither Lollipop Land or Bouncestation will reopen at the Playsport site."
With the exception of Lollipop Land and Bouncestation, Playsport "remains fully open and ready to welcome visitors".
Playsport houses facilities for golf, football, swimming and fitness and is undergoing significant investment, including plans for a new home for Caledonia Gladiators, Scotland’s only professional basketball club.
East Kilbride MSP, Collette Stevenson, said: "Whilst we await further details regarding this news, it is clear the closure of Lollipop Land and Bouncestation will come as a shock to staff, parents and of course the we ones who enjoyed going.
"It will be a worrying time for all."
A Playsport spokesman told us that it "goes without saying" that the safety of staff and customers is "paramount".
He added: "We will not tolerate unsafe practices and all our remaining tenants understand the need to work closely with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and building control at SLC to ensure compliance with the stringent requirements necessary to ensure a safe environment."
The head of SLC's planning and regulatory services, Fraser Carlin, confirmed the premises were visited by SFRS, along with building standards and environmental services officers regarding a provisional licence application.
He told us: “A number of areas were identified during the inspection that were found to not comply with fire safety and building regulations.
"A range of recommendations were made to the operators to address these issues, however, a formal notice was not served by the council nor SFRS.
“As the leases for the operators have been terminated, SLC has no further involvement in this matter. However, advice on the requirements of the building regulations can be provided to the owners of Playsport or future tenants.”
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