Washington children's play group Play Days forced to close permanently due to impact of pandemic

Play Days was founded by Sheila Docherty, in 2014 and she says the company quickly grew in popularity, becoming a successful and profitable business, enjoyed by children throughout Washington.

Sheila, 57, said sessions, which were based in Harraton & District Community Centre, were going well and this business was growing, until March this year when Play Days was forced to stop classes as coronavirus took hold and the national lockdown came into effect.

She said since being able to reopen, Play Days struggled to recover financially,

“I’m so sad that my lovely little playgroup has ended due to something that was out of my control but I’ll have the memories and I’ll always be proud that I created a safe, friendly, welcoming environment for our local community to enjoy,” she said.

Sheila described how the safety procedures needed meant it was too difficult for a business of the size and nature of hers to continue.

“When the restrictions were eased in July, I tried to find a way to meet the safety requirements and reopen Play Days,” she said.

"Sadly, this was something I just couldn’t manage on my own. The restrictions that are in place for us to stay safe are just too much for me to manage on my own and with the restrictions on the number of children and adults being allowed in, I simply can’t afford to open the doors.

"After numerous sleepless nights, I decided to call it a day."

Before the pandemic, Sheila had been eyeing been future plans for extra sessions and the further expansion of her business.

But the businesswoman said she is already growing her next venture from an enterprise she set up during lockdown: delivering homemade afternoon teas and baked goods.

Sheila started the sessions as a way to keep her business ticking over during lockdown, and found a lot of interest in the community.

Sheila added: “My mother always says ‘as one door closes, another door opens’. So for now, I'm going to continue baking and providing Afternoon Teas and catering until people stop ordering.”

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