A popular soft play centre and cafe in the heart of Swindon has announced it will close.

Jungle Mania has been in the Brunel shopping centre since 2019, but for 'reasons out of its control' will be leaving the retail area after just three years of operating. 

This news comes after a number of other businesses have already left, or are in the process of leaving the Brunel, like Waterstones, Swindon Artists Forum and jewellery shop F.Hinds.

In a statement on social media, a spokesperson for Jungle Mania confirmed that its last day would be November 6. 

"We regret to inform you that we will be closing our centre! We are gutted for our staff and all our loyal customers unfortunately this was out of our control," the spokesperson said. 

"We are sad to say goodbye to Swindon and we would like to thank all the staff for the hard work they are putting in and have always done.

"If anyone has any questions then we are happy to answer them.

"But please come in before November 6 we will have some great deals on."

Jungle Mania accompanied its closure announcement with a link to a Swindon Advertiser article about two new tower blocks being built in the area by Brunel owners FI Real Estate. 

Plans to build a 20-storey and 24-storey skyscraper were lodged two years ago and the company recently confirmed they were still progressing two years later. 

When asked about whether their closure could be related to the development, the company's response was: "Yeah, they're turning the shopping centre into flats."

Many have speculated that either the cost of living crisis or high rent costs set by Brunel's landlords have contributed to the closure of the soft play facility, but the spokesperson added that these were not the case.

Instead, Jungle Mania says it was asked to leave at the end of its lease, hence its final day being November 6, and this has left them without enough time to find a new venue in the town. 

"We haven't been given much notice. We did look around but there is nothing available in town that would suit us with the height and have the kitchen. 

"It would take around 6 months to find somewhere to move and get all the contracts signed and we just don't have the time since we found out."