Our news that the Funland location in the Trocadero Centre in London has closed down has been confirmed by an announcement from the operators, West End Amusements today. A joint statement by the company and its administrators has been issued to InterGame.
The statement reads:
On July 4 2011, Jason Greenhalgh & Paul Stanley of Begbies Traynor were appointed Joint Administrators of West End Amusements and West End Amusement Parks.
Unfortunately, the business has ceased to trade following the disconnection of the electricity supply by the landlord of the trading premises at the Trocadero Centre, Piccadilly Circus, London. In an effort to ensure the future of the business and save jobs, the directors had attempted to reduce the overheads by trying to renegotiate the lease with the landlord. Despite numerous attempts, it proved unsuccessful leaving the directors with a difficult decision with further trading losses anticipated.
The directors comment: "While recently the companies had experienced difficult trading, the directors of West End Amusements (trading as ‘Funland’) and West End Amusement Parks had hoped that they may have been able to renegotiate the terms of the lease with the landlord.
"Unfortunately attempts to negotiate proved unsuccessful both before and after the administration process was started. On July 1, 2011 the rent went into arrears and on July 3, 2011 the landlord disconnected the electricity supply and chained the emergency fire exits closed. An offer to pay for the supply of electricity was made to the landlord in an effort to maintain the operation of the site while negotiations were under way. The offer was rejected resulting in the forced closure of the site by the landlord. It now appears that there is no prospect that the companies can resume trading with the result that 95 jobs will be lost.’”
If there is no solution, then London loses what has for many years been recognised as its most influential location. Funland has been used as the prime test location for many of the world’s most influential games.
