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news, local-news, C3 Church, Buckby Motors
The Coast’s only dedicated indoor family entertainment centre has announced it will close this month. Big Big House in Devonport was buzzing with children on school holidays who flocked to the venue this week before it shuts on October 18. When business owners Miriam and David Beswick announced the closure, it drew a flood of Facebook comments from people upset to see it go. Mrs Beswick said making the sad decision to close was due to various factors. “I have not slept for two weeks,” she said. The Beswicks took over the venue in 2015 when the family moved back home to Devonport after living in Canberra. The Beswicks lease the building in North Fenton Street from private owners and are members of the C3 Church in Devonport, which sub-leases space at the site. The property has recently been purchased by car dealership Buckby Motors. Mrs Beswick said the business faced a significant increase in its operating costs due to COVID-19 requirements and was about to go into its quiet summer trading period. “We’re not sure how many tourists there will be over summer,” she said. “In summer we rely on tourists; in winter we get more locals. “We lost our peak season completely this year due to COVID-19, and we’re about to go into our off-season.” She said the church looked at buying the site before it was sold and was not renewing its lease option. Mrs Beswick said with three children and her husband dealing with health issues; it was time for a change. IN OTHER NEWS: “It was heartbreaking, but once we talked to some advisers and looked at the situation, it’s the right time,” she said. “I’m going to miss our beautiful customers and being part of the children’s birthday parties,” she said. “Most people think of the playground as a chance for mums to switch off and rest, but I think it will be missed more by dads, especially those with custody arrangements, as it is a safe place for them to play with their kids. One of my favourite experiences over the last five years has been watching dads interact with their kids and be involved in the playtime.” Mrs Beswick said they were planning to hold a garage sale on October 24 to sell the venue’s cafe gear as well as what she described as the “strange conglomerate of things in our storerooms.” Why not pick up a subscription to The Advocate? Sign up here.
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The Coast’s only dedicated indoor family entertainment centre has announced it will close this month.
Big Big House in Devonport was buzzing with children on school holidays who flocked to the venue this week before it shuts on October 18.
When business owners Miriam and David Beswick announced the closure, it drew a flood of Facebook comments from people upset to see it go.
Mrs Beswick said making the sad decision to close was due to various factors.
Closure:Big Big House owner Miriam Beswick at Devonport’s Big Big House family entertainment centre which is closing on October 18. Picture: Phillip Biggs.
“I have not slept for two weeks,” she said.
The Beswicks took over the venue in 2015 when the family moved back home to Devonport after living in Canberra.
The Beswicks lease the building in North Fenton Street from private owners and are members of the C3 Church in Devonport, which sub-leases space at the site.
The property has recently been purchased by car dealership Buckby Motors.
Mrs Beswick said the business faced a significant increase in its operating costs due to COVID-19 requirements and was about to go into its quiet summer trading period.
“We’re not sure how many tourists there will be over summer,” she said.
“In summer we rely on tourists; in winter we get more locals.
“We lost our peak season completely this year due to COVID-19, and we’re about to go into our off-season.”
She said the church looked at buying the site before it was sold and was not renewing its lease option.
Mrs Beswick said with three children and her husband dealing with health issues; it was time for a change.
“It was heartbreaking, but once we talked to some advisers and looked at the situation, it’s the right time,” she said.
“I’m going to miss our beautiful customers and being part of the children’s birthday parties,” she said.
“Most people think of the playground as a chance for mums to switch off and rest, but I think it will be missed more by dads, especially those with custody arrangements, as it is a safe place for them to play with their kids. One of my favourite experiences over the last five years has been watching dads interact with their kids and be involved in the playtime.”
Mrs Beswick said they were planning to hold a garage sale on October 24 to sell the venue’s cafe gear as well as what she described as the “strange conglomerate of things in our storerooms.”
Why not pick up a subscription to The Advocate? Sign up here.
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