Owners of Mr Karting near Leamington explain reasons behind closure

The owners of Mr Karting, an indoor karting site, near Leamington, have explained more of the reasons behind the closure announcement.

On Monday the owners, the Stretton family, took to social media and their website to tell everyone they would not be reopening the Harbury Lane site.

Like many other businesses Mr Karting closed to the public during the lockdown but the Stretton family said they were unable to reopen due to operation restrictions and costs as well as the 'huge debts' they had gained during the lockdown.

Now Steve Stretton has spoken to The Courier about the decision, which has saddened many residents in the area.

Steve said: "As we said in the statement it was a very difficult decision for us to take and one we didn't want to, but we couldn't open and trade under the strict Covid-19 restrictions and cover our operating costs.

"Being an indoor venue and due to the nature of our building we couldn't operate a one way system, which meant we could only have one group in the building at anyone time and that group had to be from the same family/group bubble.

"Between each session we would have to clean all karts and equipment and areas that customers entered before another group could enter.

"Children's birthday parties are one of our most popular events and they run with up to eight kids from different households, so we could not run them under the current guidelines.

"The same applied to our kart clubs and race schools where we would have 15 to 20 kids twice monthly, but again all from different households and also with an adult accompanying them.

"Our other popular event was our monthly sprint series of racing for adults and juniors in their own classes and we would have up to 80 per month, so again could not run these under the restrictions imposed on us."

Steve also wanted to reiterated that the decision was not one he and his family made lightly.

He said: "I have spent many a long hour looking at ways in which we could have re-opened, but it was just not possible and could not keep paying the rent along with all the other costs with no income from customers.

"We were closed for two of our busiest months, April and May where we are normally very busy with Easter and the May holidays.

"We were unable to claim anything from our insurers for loss of business, and they were also unwilling to reduce any premiums although we were fully closed.

"Matt Western, our local MP, has been very helpful and supportive during our difficult situation and approached the government departments of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Digital, Culture, Media and Sports on our behalf.

"We had a great team at Mr Karting and have had to lay off all 12 employees which was very difficult.

"I shall miss them and all our customers and have had so many kind comments on social media and by e-mail it really is appreciated."