DOZENS of parents have signed a petition calling for a soft play centre to be saved.

Monkey Bizness closed its doors in St Stephen's shopping centre for the final time last night, just days after they were told it was to shut.

Twenty-two people have lost their jobs at the centre, which has been open for three years.

The petition urges the owner of St Stephen's, British Land, to talk to the owners of Monkey Bizness about a new deal.

Manager Wendy Donnelly said: "We have been inundated with e-mails of support and every single person who has come through the door has signed the petition.

"The phones have been ringing non-stop with people calling to support us. We have had children in tears. It is just awful.

"We desperately want to stay here and our customers want us to stay here. We want to negotiate with British Land about staying."

As previously reported, the centre had faced difficulties since its original owner went into liquidation in the autumn.

Although staff believed a takeover by Fronks Limited had gone smoothly, St Stephen's manager Jim Harris said no negotiations have taken place between British Land and Fronks Limited to secure a new lease.

On Saturday, more than 100 parents took their children to the centre for a final play session.

Mum Susan Hilton, 37, of Burstwick, looked on as her children Lily, four, and Finn, two, danced with Marvin the monkey, the centre's mascot.

The family have annual passes for the centre and visit at least three times a week.

Mrs Hilton said: "When I told Lily Monkey Bizness was closing, she cried for two hours. She was devastated and wouldn't speak to anybody.

"There is a really nice atmosphere at Monkey Bizness and I feel safe with the children being here. The staff get to know the kids.

"It is always really busy, especially at weekends. They have seemed to be going from strength to strength. But, like everything, it comes down to money."

Mrs Hilton had booked a joint birthday party for the children to be held at the centre in April just last week.

However, it has now been cancelled.

"The children are gutted," she said.

"They love it here and this is where they wanted their party."

Six children celebrated their birthdays with parties at Monkey Bizness on Saturday but all parties booked in the future have been cancelled and the customers have been given refunds.