A popular Isle of Wight adventure play centre has unexpectedly closed its doors amid reports of a takeover, leaving customers "gutted."
JR Zone, on Manners View in Newport, says it has “temporarily” closed whilst it explores an opportunity with a potential new owner.
It is unknown at this time how long the play centre will be shut.
Visitors to the JR Zone website have been greeted with a brief but surprising notice.
The message reads:
We've now closed temporarily as we explore an exciting opportunity with a potential new owner. Thank you for your amazing support. All existing bookings are being refunded in full within 3–5 working days.
Customers with active reservations received emails yesterday evening (Sunday) informing them that the business had ceased operations “for the time being.”
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The message said refunds had already been processed and would be received shortly, requiring no further action on the customer's part.
For some families, the timing of the announcement has caused significant distress.
One disappointed parent took to social media to express her frustration after learning that her daughter’s birthday party would no longer be going ahead.
“I received this email six days before my girl’s party. Gutted is an understatement,” she wrote.
“There’s no time to rearrange or sort invites, and I have to wait for a refund. What a disaster.”
The lack of prior notice and the suddenness of the closure have left many families scrambling to make alternative plans.
Adding to the confusion, JR Zone’s Facebook page, which had more than 4,300 followers, appears to have been disabled.
No official statement has been released via social channels, leaving customers with limited avenues for updates or communication.
The County Press has contacted JR Zone for further comment.
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