NOVEMBER 7, 2014: Bosses from the Funworld attraction warned that plans for new publicly funded children’s adventure play area could force them out of business.

Owner Sharon Murdoch, who ran the hugely successful soft play venture in Greenock, blasted Inverclyde Leisure (IL) and the council for considering using taxpayers’ money to set up a venture which she said would be in direct competition to her Fort Matilda facility.

Inverclyde Leisure recently revealed plans for a soft play area at Ravenscraig Sports Centre as part of a major £1.2m revamp there.

But Sharon believes there was only room for one such place in Inverclyde — and said Ravenscraig would have an unfair advantage because it would enjoy charitable trust status under the IL umbrella.

The businesswoman, who owns Funworld with her brother Douglas Brands, said: “I am very concerned about the future of our business.

“I thrive on competition and it is a good thing.

“But this is not a level playing field.”

Funworld owner Sharon had held talks with Inverclyde Leisure to express her concerns about their plans for Ravenscraig.

She added: “Now that I have had a look at the plans it is clear they are in direct competition with us.

“We fully support their charity status in providing gyms, football parks and swimming pools for the health of people in the area.

“But we fail to see the logic in providing public money to enter into the commercial world and compete with an existing company.”

Sharon said that, as a charitable trust, Inverclyde Leisure would not have to pay VAT and the new facility would qualify for reduced rates.

She added: “If this project goes ahead only one of us will survive as the town is not big enough to support both.”

Since opening 10 years ago Funworld has had £1 million invested into it, and now employs 42 members of staff.

But bosses had to shelve plans to spend a six-figure sum installing a clip and climb wall — because Inverclyde Leisure planned to do the same at Ravenscraig.

Funworld were planning to invest in a new high ropes obstacle course instead.

The popular centre had thousands of visitors from outside Inverclyde every year and is a recognised tourist attraction.