‘Disgusted’ Bristol mum demands refund after daughter’s party cancelled due to community centre closure

A Bristol mum was left ‘fuming’ after her daughter’s third birthday party was cancelled at the last minute because the venue had closed unexpectedly.

Rachel from Cadbury Heath had booked the room at The Batch community centre at the beginning of August for her daughter’s birthday party on October 9.

Rachel says she paid the full price of £120 by cheque in August and it had already been cashed prior to the party.

But it was only when she visited the community centre a few days before the party to finalise some table equipment needed for the children’s buffet that she discovered the building was closed and locked up.

The building, which is owned by South Gloucestershire Council, opened in 2015 and was run by Banjo Island Community and Sports Association (BISCA).

It is understood that The Batch closed on September 15 but there had been no communication to Rachel, who says that other parents in the same situation have now contacted her as they attempt to get refunds for parties they had also booked.

Rachel said: “It’s disgusting that I had no idea it had closed until I went around there to check about tables for the buffet the Monday before my daughter’s party.

“I had been to the community centre before for other parties and it seemed like a perfect venue for my daughter’s third birthday and we had invited about 25 children and their parents.

“I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it would have been for us all to turn up on the day with the toddlers and all the food - imagine the disappointment on my daughter’s face.”

Rachel has tried to phone BISCA but says she a woman who answered was ‘rude’ and ‘swore’ at her before hanging up.

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: “South Gloucestershire Council has taken back management of The Batch as the organisation previously managing the facilities (BISCA) ended their tenure.

“Any bookings made for use of The Batch by individuals with BISCA need to be resolved with them as they go through the formal process of ending their operation.

“No monies paid for party bookings, for example, comes to the council and we have reiterated to BISCA that they need to settle any outstanding issues with hirers promptly.”

The community centre also included a local youth club run by Creative Youth Network (CYN), which had been running since 2019.

They say they are currently working with South Gloucestershire Council to find a solution to continuing their youth work in Cadbury Heath.

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council added: “We are currently going through a process to identify a new management organisation and as part of that we are meeting with Oldland Parish Council.

“We have also been approached by other parties who are interested in taking on the facilities and who have presented a business case to take it forward. We will discuss options with any suitable local group who can demonstrate how they would manage the building for the benefit of the local community.

“While the building remains closed, the council is undertaking some repair work and security improvements.

“We are committed ensuring that The Batch reopens and is run locally for the benefit of the local community as soon as possible.

“As soon as we have secured a new managing tenant, we look forward to being able to announce this and hand over day-to-day management to them.”