A PAIR of children's entertainers are giving a popular adventure playground a second chance.

Stephen Whatley and Pete Clifton, who run a children's party company, have stepped into the breach to reopen the Space Adventure play centre following its closure just after the New Year.

Bosses at the centre, on the Isis trading estate, made staff redundant, telling them not to turn up for work on New Year's Day, while dozens of pre-booked children's parties were called off with immediate effect.

The closure was blamed on financial difficulties because of a drop in interest as a result of the World Cup and a warm summer.

Now Stephen and Pete, of S&C Inflatables, have invested in the firm, with big plans and new ideas to bring in more business and make sure youngsters can continue to have fun.

Stephen said: "It wasn't so much that the business went bust but that the directors found themselves having to re-evaluate where the business was going.

"They had had a tough year - the warm summer and the World Cup had cut visitor numbers. It was a case of who wanted to play inside when it was hot outside?

"We are working with the old directors and bringing our experience of children's entertainment with us.

"We have some big plans and ideas to ensure the business will keep going, even if it is another warm summer."

Work has already started to redecorate the inside of the giant units, and the staff who were made redundant have been given their old jobs back.

Part-time worker Stephanie Ealey, 16, one of those who was made redundant and has returned said: "It was a big surprise to be told that Space Adventure would be starting up again and I am glad to be back.

"I really believe they can make a go of it and make this place successful."

Pete said: "We are aware there could be a hot summer and slack times ahead, but this time we are prepared for that, and we have talked to the staff and agreed that in times like that then we may reduce the hours."

Previously, parents paid £3.50 for two hours of play, but now the two-hour time limit has been removed.

The pair are now planning a large reopening celebration on Sunday, February 4, which will run all day.

Mr Whatley is also keen to point out that parents who had pre-booked parties, but didn't have them because of the closure, will receive letters in the coming week.