Licensing blunder leaves Go Ape playground up in the air
A MASSIVE treetop adventure playground which was due to open last weekend has been thrown into chaos after it failed to get a licence granted in time.
The Go Ape forest adventure ground in Beecraigs Country Park, in the Bathgate Hills, has had to cancel 125 bookings for the next few weeks – including around 90 for last Saturday's gala opening – because of problems securing a public entertainment licence from the council.
West Lothian Council sources say the company failed to submit Disclosure Scotland forms in time – a requirement for any business which has contact with children.
Councillors have now agreed to revisit the licensing application on 14 April, leaving Go Ape unable to operate in the meantime, missing the lucrative Easter weekend rush.
It is set to lose out on thousands of pounds while it remains closed, with adults being charged 30 per visit and children 20.
The company, which has 25 other facilities across the UK, insisted it was the first time it has encountered licensing problems.
A spokeswoman said: "Unfortunately due to a continued licensing hearing, Go Ape at Beecraigs won't be able to open for customers for a few more weeks.
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused and all those that have already booked their Go Ape adventure at Beecraigs Country Park have been contacted directly and their adventure re-booked or refunded."
The latest setback follows the abandonment of plans to build a Go Ape facility in Glasgow's Pollok Park last year.
The proposals had proved controversial and sparked a massive protest amongst park campaigners, but in the end it was Go Ape bosses who pulled out of the deal, despite having council backing.
The adventure playground, which is only the second of Go Ape's facilities in Scotland, had an official launch last Friday, which was able to go ahead despite the licensing problems.
The facility consists of a giant treetop obstacle course 40ft in the air made up of ladders, bridges, tunnels, walkways and massive zip wires.
The company has admitted that it is unsure exactly when it will be up and running, but hopes the situation will be resolved at the next licensing meeting this month.
A West Lothian Council spokesman said: "There has been a delay in the opening of the new Go Ape facility in Beecraigs Country Park. The company that owns the facility (Adventure Forest Limited) were not granted the necessary licence by West Lothian's licensing committee last Thursday.
"Members of the licensing committee agreed to continue the application until 14 April.
"The council is confident that a solution will be reached."
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Monday 21 May 2012
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