Everyone is finding it tough at the moment and wants life to get back to normal.

We will be profiling local independent businesses regularly over the coming weeks in a feature called UP CLOSE IN MALDON DISTRICT to help showcase the area's diverse range of independent traders. By spending locally, you help support local jobs - and so build our communities back stronger.

Today we talk to the team behind the Madison Heights family entertainment complex in Maldon as they prepare for a long-awaited re-opening.

THE team at Maldon's popular Madison Heights have spoken of their hope that the community will support the town's hospitality sector following the pandemic – and of how they are waiting to welcome everyone back from Friday, 25 June.

The Madison Heights family entertainment complex, which first opened its doors in 2002, will be re-opening on that date and has a lot of news to share.

Manager Lisa Noble told Maldon Nub News: "After scouring the Essex countryside for a location, we decided on Maldon for our Family Entertainment Centre as it is a lovely town with a great sense of community that was in need of a facility for families to enjoy.

"We have built a great rapport with the local community. Our business has gone from strength to strength over the past 18 years with the constant support we receive from the local community along with the many, many day visitors to Maldon.

"The pandemic has hit us hard like most in hospitality. Over the last 15 months we have only been permitted to open for six weeks in total.

"When we thought things were on the up and we had returned all our staff members to work, completely restocked and changed our menus, we were once again shutdown after just two weeks."

Lisa said that it is as a direct result of the pandemic that the IZUMI restaurant will not re-open at Madison Heights.

However, the team has been busy behind the scenes, creating new packages and deals throughout the complex.

Lisa added: "Plus we have plans for a great new activity to enhance our current facilities. Please follow us on Facebook for further updates."

And there are plenty of favourites ready and waiting for returning and new customers to enjoy, including:

-Monkey Puzzle indoor soft-play (the largest in the South East) with Alfie's Coffee Shop

-Full-size roller skating rink with diner (Sk8ters)

-Pool tables

-The Bakehouse Maldon.

And speaking of her hopes for the future, Lisa said: "Our hopes going forward are to once again welcome all customers old and new to use and enjoy our facilities and help to support a local business.

"We hope to restart all our social groups and to arrange new exclusive events for the coming year.

"After a very stressful and exceptionally strange time for everyone, we want to welcome everyone back with open arms. We feel positive that we can continue onwards bigger and better with their loyal support."

Visit the Madison Heights website here for full details and opening times.

Enquiries can be made to: [email protected] or by telephone on 01621 850222.

The Keep it Local campaign is being launched through Maldon District Council's Sense of Place initiative, with funding from the Magnox Decommissioning Fund.