Washington mum slams ‘disgusting’ state of pub play area after 'mould'

Jessica Smith, from Washington, posted photos online of dirt covered walls inside of The Story Book children’s play area known as the Wacky Warehouse, calling the conditions “filthy”.

The mum visited the pub on May 2 with her young children and partner but quickly noticed the conditions of the walls surrounding the play area, snapping some pictures and subsequently posting them online.

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Now, she’s admitted the area is “dangerous for children” as she cautions fellow parents to stay away.

Conditions of the walls at the Story Book Wacky Warehouse. (Image: JESSICA SMITH)

Jessica told the Echo: “I was in the under five area with my son, who is one, as he played on the slide. Next to where the balls were, I noticed the whole wall was covered in mould.

“Obviously I took him away, and we went to the soft play area where there was more there too.

“It was running down the wall at the under-fives area including near the big kids area too. It was just everywhere.”

Upon photographing the walls, Jessica and her family quickly left the play area and contacted the owner who claimed that cleaners visit once a month.

Jessica added: “There’s mould all over it. It’s so dangerous for young children – especially in the under-five’s area.

“There’s also children with breathing problems – could you imagine them going into somewhere like that?”

The play area is branded as part of the Wacky Warehouse chain of play areas but resides within Greene King’s Story Book Pub and carvery, hosting birthday parties for children and other special occasions.

Conditions of the walls at the Story Book Wacky Warehouse. (Image: JESSICA SMITH)

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Since visiting the venue, the mum of two told the Echo she feels the play area is a “hazardous” environment for children and stated parents will feel “guilty” for putting kids in that environment.

She added: “When I took my kids out I thought the staff, owners and managers would care about the children and the soft play, but obviously they don’t if they’re not going to clean the soft play and take care of it properly.

“If they don’t do something about it, it genuinely needs to be shut down. It’s disgusting.”

The Northern Echo contacted the play areas operating company, Greene King, for a comment, who claimed that the images evidence paint that has been worn away.

Conditions of the walls at the Story Book Wacky Warehouse. (Image: JESSICA SMITH)

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A spokesperson for The Story Book said: “We have been made aware of a photo on social media that appears to show marks on the internal wall of our Wacky Warehouse, however we have investigated this and can confirm that the marks on the walls are actually from some of the original breeze blocks where the paint has eroded over time.

“We are working closely with South Tyneside Council who have corroborated this and are happy for our Wacky Warehouse to remain open as normal.

“We will also be arranging for these areas to be repainted to avoid any confusion or concern.”