Crash landing as 30 jobs go
AngerascompanyclosesEKfacility
Around 30 jobs will go after Oxygen Freejumping confirmed yesterday it has closed its East Kilbride site.
Owners of the multi-million pound trampoline park – which was bought over from Air Space in an all-cash deal last summer – told the News they had “no choice” but to axe the “unsustainable” facility, which has been placed in administration, due to the competitive local leisure market.
But the UK’s largest trampoline operator has been blasted with some of the stunned workforce only finding out that they had lost their jobs on Facebook. One angry worker told the News: “The staff are broken.”
East Kilbride SNP MSP Linda Fabiani says the news is “shocking”.
Tory Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson added: “The company must make sure all their employees are paid what they are owed and treated properly.”
Staff at an East Kilbride leisure facility were coming to terms with losing their jobs yesterday after Oxygen Freejumping suddenly pulled down the shutters.
Workers at the trampoline park, at Playsport in Stewartfield, were, it has been claimed, left in tears on Monday night when management announced the leisure facility was to close.
Around 30 jobs are expected to be lost as a result.
Oxygen Freejumping CEO David Stalker said the site, which has been placed in administration, had become unsustainable in the competitive local leisure market and they had “no choice” but to close.
But the UK’s largest trampoline park operator has been accused of lying to its staff and customers.
A furious worker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told the News yesterday that staff were instructed to tell customers the building was only closing for a couple of days for “essential maintenance works”.
The individual spoke of their disgust at their treatment, adding that the writing had been on the wall for some time.
“I’m more angry than upset,” the staff member said. “It’s crazy that staff are finding out on Facebook that they are losing their jobs. The staff are broken.
“The management didn’t have the guts to tell us. They withheld information instead of telling us the harsh reality of what was going on.
“The mistreatment of staff is absolutely shocking and outrageous.
“It’s meant to be a four-step process and we got two hours notice.”
The staff member added: “I knew something was up. The tell-tale signs were there – I haven’t had a pay slip for six months.
“We also work a month in advance so we are owed wages. We were paid a small sum last week and told it was a pay error so they lied to our faces.
“The management has been shocking since the takeover and now we’ve all been done out of a job.”
Oxygen Freejumping acquired the park from Air Space in a multi-million pound all-cash deal last summer.
A staff meeting is to be held today, led by a company representative.
The worker added: “I’ve put so much effort into this place so it’s really frustrating to see these people come in and take it away from us.”
In a statement, Mr Stalker said: “Oxygen Freejumping regret to inform consumers that it has been forced to close its East Kilbride site.
“Unfortunately, due to a competitive local leisure market our trading has become unsustainable and we have no choice but to close the site.
“Decisions relating to the East Kilbride site will now be taken by the appointed finance professionals and we cannot comment on individual cases.
“We will refund all future bookings and customers will shortly be contacted by our customer service team. Alternatively, you can contact us on 07748 965 443 or 07411 124466.
“This has been a very difficult decision as we have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the East Kilbride community and we leave behind an excellent team of leisure professionals who we wish the very best success.
“Oxygen Freejumping is now under new ownership and we look forward to continuing to grow and support more and more people to get active and get freejumping.”
It is understood schools who booked the trampoline park for end-of-year events have also been let down.
A customer contacted the News and said: “Air Space in East Kilbride has closed and are lying to customers that they are only closing for maintenance.
“We took 30 day passes out on Saturday...but got our booking for [Tuesday] night cancelled, telling us it was for repairs. We then heard it was closing.
“We phoned twice to be lied to but now have been told that it is shut for good. What about all those kids that will be disappointed and the parents that are all out of pocket?”
East Kilbride SNP MSP Linda Fabiani said: “This news really is shocking and my thoughts are with all staff who have lost their jobs at this difficult time.”
Central Scotland Tory MSP Graham Simpson added: “It is a real shame that the facility has closed.
“I hope that another viable use can be found for what is a big space.”