Keep Brickstation alive following Covid closures

Brickstation is a LEGO themed children's play centre, offering a creative alternative to soft play.

* Thanks to the kindness of people donating and offering support I can confirm Brickstation will be remaining open. The costs involved during COVID restrictions have been paid and the business moves forward * thank you for the support *

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I have loved working at Brickstation. Every day I get to see children smiling and having fun.

I was a teacher for 20 years and for various reasons wanted to created something worthwhile for the community. I was fan of Lego as a kid but didn't play with it for a long time until I became a parent, when I rediscovered it. I played Lego with my daughter and discovered a quality experience I wasn't getting from passive activities like the cinema or TV. Lego allowed her to play and for me to join in and share the experience unlike soft play or trampolining. We worked as a team, and achieved models that we were proud of. Along with my personal enjoyment I also became very aware of a series of benefits for my daughter - improved hand-eye coordination, dexterity, determination, willingness to follow plans, ability to follow plans, reasoning, logic skills, resilience and creativity outlet. She was enjoying herself, was productive and learning through play. This along with other educational beliefs inspired me to create the main element of Brickstation.

I saw and believed in the benefits of LEGO play and wanted to enable others to be able to benefit like my daughter and I had.

I have worked with many children who have been diagnosed ‘autistic’ and many who were on the spectrum and needed support. I am passionate about all children being given opportunity and being treated fairly. LEGO is a great tool for engaging and improving various skills. I am trained in Lego therapy and an important part of running Brickstation is to supply resources and tools for people with autism and their families. We have run regular autism friendly sessions and linked with ‘bee unique’ and other interested parties in order to achieve this goal.

Over the last 18 months the business has developed. We have tried to listen to feedback, grown some areas and scaled back others. Whilst also understanding that few people have had the opportunity to use and benefit from our resources.

We began planning consent in spring 2019 and opened our doors March 2020. One weekend later closing as part of the first lockdown. At the time nobody knew the extent Covid would effect the country, our community or our own families.

The government made a grant of £10,000 available for small businesses effected by Covid that was to be distributed by local councils. Brickstation never received this. The details of why and how this didn't happen are infuriating and largely due to Carlisle city councils interpretation and management of the scheme. My landlord was understanding at my inability to pay the rent and gave me time to raise funds. I have continued to pursue the council for assistance, but over a year on and my landlord has run out of patience and taken back control of the property until I pay my outstanding debt.

Whilst Brickstation has had periods of being open, you will also know that several other lockdowns took place and all restrictions were finally lifted in July 2021. When open Brickstation has seen a steady stream of new customers as more and more local people have found out about us. We have been able to run parties since July and those have been amazing and popular. We have started connecting with local schools and have had several successful visits.

I believe in the purpose of this business and that there is a place for it in our society.

I believe in the sustainability of the business and when viewed from a lense of ‘actual’ time open is doing ok.

Whilst nothing is guaranteed and other hurdles may arise, the biggest issue that has prevented success has been covid, being forced to be closed and how customers have responded with caution to going out and having parties again.

I am trying to raise the funds needed to pay the rent costs I was unable to pay whilst closed and to secure the shops survival.