KidZania Singapore, which opened in April 2016 on Sentosa Island, is now closing permanently.
KidZania allows children to role-play in a children-sized city with buildings, vehicles and a functioning economy. Children learn about careers and managing money through educational and fun role-play.
The financial impact of COVID-19
The company said that it has struggled to achieve the business it needs over the past few years. The impact of COVID-19 on the economy has made this worse.
The company announced that it would not reopen on June 16 in a Facebook post. The post said that KidZania has “had the joy of entertaining and education one million kids. We thank you for joining and helping us build a billion memories.”
Channel News Asia reports KidZania explained in a statement that “aside from zero ticket revenue due to the temporary closure since early April, revenue has also been impacted as commercial partners have reduced their participation due to financial constraints and cost control efforts.”
103 employees lose their jobs
103 employees will be laid off but they will all receive “appropriate severance packages”. This includes “medical and other benefits paid up to their last day of service.”
“It is the intent that the severance package, which stands on the higher end of the industry norm, will go some way to ease any difficulties for team members over the next few months,” said KidZania.
The company will hold workshops to help staff find new employment as soon as they can.
A spokesperson for the Sentosa Development Corporation said that the company is aware of KidZania’s closure and plans to “refresh the premises with exciting new offerings.”
NST reports that KidZania Kuala Lumpur’s owners, Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn Bhd, are considering closing KidZania Kuala Lumpur rather than reopening after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
