The boss of a North West indoor karting firm has said he is "devastated" after the Government decided at the 11th hour that businesses like his would have to wait another month to reopen.
Matty Street, of TeamKarting in Rochdale, said after months of preparation to reopen on April 12, he and others were told late on Friday that the date for indoor 'recreational driving facilities' would be pushed back to the next stage of lockdown easing - in May.
That came after the Government "reclassified" indoor go karting last week.
Mr Street told BusinessLive the firm had put in a huge amount of work and "significant costs" preparing to open on Monday.
He said his business offers ventilation "that can rival hospitals" and this is the latest "huge financial challenge" he must deal with following a difficult year due to the pandemic.
He said: “Like countless other small businesses, I’ve done everything I can to keep afloat throughout the lockdowns, keeping my staff employed and my business viable.
“There’s no underestimating the huge challenge facing government in keeping the virus under control whilst also protecting the economy, but I cannot understand this decision.
“We’ve worked so hard to get everything in place for opening this week, ensuring we’ve done above and above what is required to keep our staff and customers safe. To be told with less than 72 hours’ notice that we can no longer open and have to wait another month to do so is devastating."
Mr Street said the decision would mean costs of £5,000 spent in preparing for Monday's reopening "have no chance of being covered for some time" - and that £7,000 worth of bookings must now be rescheduled.
That's as well as 30 employees having to wait "even longer" to return to work.
Other firms including TeamSport Karting have also spoken out this week about the decision, which effects indoor venues across England.
Mr Street has owned the business for five years – raising investment to buy it out at the age of 19.
Now 24, he owns five motorsport businesses.
Mr Street added: “With indoor climbing centres, indoor golf centres, ski slopes and shops opening, many of which have nowhere close to the ventilation and health and safety processes in place which we’re proud to have, I feel that the indoor karting industry needs a full explanation of why this decision was made, with no sector consultation.
"Unless help is provided soon, many kart tracks may have no choice but to permanently close.”
