A children’s play centre has apologised for using ‘realistic’ body bags as halloween decorations after complaints from shocked parents.
Images of the decorations outside Rugrats and Halfpints in Cirencester, Gloucestershire show black bags tied up to resemble human bodies hanging from poles behind the main play area.
But the décor at the centre – which caters for children aged 0-12 – went down poorly with some parents, with one concerned mum saying she did a ‘double take’ upon seeing the bags.
Speaking to Sky News, she said: ‘When I saw them I did a double take – surely that can’t be what I think it is? I just didn’t want to have to explain to my kid what they were’.
The bags were reportedly located at the back of the play centre, which meant they couldn’t be viewed from outside.
‘I spoke to some other parents who were as shocked as I was that it was deemed appropriate. It’s a great soft play, but that did shock me a bit,’ she added.
A spokesperson for the centre told Sky News: ‘This is the first time someone has brought it to our attention so of course due to this we will take them down immediately.
‘It wasn’t to cause distress and we apologise this is how they have felt’.
The Rugrats centre, Winner of the Travellers Choice Award 2022, says on its website it is ‘committed to providing a safe, clean and stimulating environment, with the emphasis on fun’, with prices ranging from £5.75 up to £11.75 per child.
It says it offers parents ‘a variety of different play areas and entertainment for your kids to get stuck in while you can enjoy our on-site cafe,’ adding: ‘In essence, Rugrats and Half Pints is the soft play centre you have been waiting for.’
The news comes shortly after a Merseyside mum claims she was forced to remove her own body bag decorations after complaints by the council.
Caroline Ashley was stunned when a council worker allegedly visited her home and demanded she remove the decorations following complaints by a neighbour.
After initially admitting she was baffled by the request as her kids ‘aren’t scared’ of the decorations, the mum-of-two eventually took them down to avoid causing any further offence.
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