Southampton business forced to close after travellers arrive

Rachel King of Moo at the Barnyard has had to throw out days worth of jacket potatoes, paninis, cakes and milk after Chamberlayne Leisure Centre closed on Saturday.

She runs a children's play area and music classes in a hall within the leisure centre, which shut following "accessibility issues" and "abuse" after around 20 caravans arrived on the popular dog-walking field nearby on Friday.

Rachel King said her business has had to throw out a lot of fresh stock, such as jacket potatoes, paninis and milk. (Image: Moo at the Barnyard) While she said the travellers have been "nothing but respectful", she had the "horrifying" experience of having to tell a four-year-old boy that his birthday party was cancelled just hours before it was supposed to start.

READ MORE: Leisure centre next to travellers camp closes after 'abuse'

"His mum had already baked a cake for the party, it's the little things like that which are upsetting to see," she said.

"It's through no fault of the centre, having to close for safeguarding issues. But we're having to clear out food and stock which is out of date."

Rachel called the situation "disheartening" and said it was hard to turn customers away, especially on Saturday which is the business' busiest day.

The encampment at Chamberlayne Leisure Centre on Friday. (Image: NQ) "Having to tell a little child on the morning of their birthday party that the hall isn’t opening, it’s really upsetting," she said.

"His mum had already baked a cake for the party, it's the little things like that which are upsetting to see.

"At the end of the day, we’ve got to keep things safe."

Reports of anti-social behaviour on social media have been rife, with police being called after a woman was allegedly verbally abused and pushed by four children on Newtown Road yesterday morning.

READ MORE: Traveller camp set up near sports ground as council issues statement

Councillor Warwick Payne said it was "frustrating" to see the illegal encampment.

Councillor Warwick Payne said that access to the site was gained unlawfully. The ward member for Woolston said: "My information is that an angle grinder was used to enter the site, hence the council took all responsible steps to stop this happening.

"Access to the site was gained unlawfully. That means the legal process to evict the encampment should run faster, and as we speak, the eviction notice is being drawn up and should be served imminently."

He said that while it is not the first time travellers have used the site, feedback he has received is that this encampment has "more challenging behaviours than usual".

"For that reason, it’s causing more concerns than it normally would," he said.

"Steps are being taken to try to bolster the defences at any other nearby sites."