A YORK attraction raring to go after lockdown has been dealt a major blow after learning that it must remain closed for another month.

The team at York MotorSport Village had been planning to welcome back visitors in line with the Government roadmap which allowed indoor leisure facilities to reopen from Monday, April 12.

Phil Hannington, general manager of YMSV at Monks Cross, said karting had previously been defined as a sport by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).

But YMSV received an email last Friday from its governing body which changed the opening plans.

“As you are aware karting was defined as a sport by OPSS," wrote the National Karting Association. "Today, about an hour ago, it has been reclassified as recreational driving facility which means that outdoor should not open until April 12 and indoor not until step three in May.

"This has come out of the blue and we have raised our concerns to OPSS."

YMSV had invested £5,000 in equipment which sanitises fabric, started to take bookings and refuelled the cars in anticipation.

Phil said: "Why a government office should determine at close of business on Friday, April 9, that something that has been clear since February 22 should be re-categorised is a mystery and hugely damaging, not only with the cost of preparing for re-opening but now also the time and effort to advise the many customers who had pre-booked.”

He added: “We’re absolutely devastated.”

YMSV has been in York for more than 20 years, and was usually busy hosting corporate groups, birthday parties, along with stag and hen dos pre-Covid. Phil said they had scaled back opening times to cater for household groups, and many families had made bookings to make up for low-key lockdown birthday celebrations.

With the cars prepared for the much-anticipated relaunch, the team has had to contact customers to offer refunds or a later date.

The OPSS Government department did not respond when contacted by The Press.