A DUNFERMLINE business has had to adapt to survive as the coronavirus pandemic continues to take its toll.

Play Planet had only been open for four months before the outbreak forced the soft play centre to close.

The venue opened at Queen Anne Street in December 2019 - above The Ball Room pool and snooker hall - and had enjoyed a positive start prior to all indoor soft play businesses having to temporarily close on March 23.

Lauren Baillie, its general manager, told the Press this week that the past year has been incredibly difficult for both her and the business, with Lauren having to seek other work to make ends meet.

"I got a job on the side to pay the bills and give myself a purpose", she said.

"A lot of people have been able to work from home or go back to work in dribs and drabs during the year, but I haven't been able to.

"Getting that second job was a lift, but that cafe had to close because of lockdown."

A cake decorater in the past, she decided to launch Play Planet Cake Factory as a method for the business to generate some money and to give herself a lift.

She said: "Once Play Planet had been up and running for a bit longer, it was something that I was hoping we'd be able to incorporate into our birthday parties, anyway.

"Last year, we were never really sure when, or if, we were going to be able to re-open. With each passing week it was a case of hearing something positive and then our hopes were lifted only for that not to be the case.

"I spoke to the owner and we decided that it was something we could do the Cake Factory here, in the Play Planet kitchen.

"It's not likely that we'll be able to open the soft play any time soon, so it felt like the right time to take the plunge and try this as it least it's some form of income coming in.

"It's been great so far. We've had Valentine's Day, which helped, and as people can't go out, deliveries are up and we have people collecting as well.

"It's been really popular and our orders in the second week increased on the first, so hopefully we can continue to grow and grow.

"We have a good customer base which is passionately about supporting and helping us."

Play Planet is just one example of Dunfermline businesses having to adapt to survive as local restaurants have turned into takeaways and venues opened beer gardens in the summer.

Business news stories have largely been tales of woe since the start of the pandemic, but Lauren, from Dunfermline, highlighted the human element behind business news.

She said: "I've struggled a lot during this pandemic.

"When we shut, Play Planet was just beginning and anyone who knows me will know how much I love Play Planet and my job. I love our customers and all the children, so it's been really hard for me this past year.

"This has definitely given me a purpose and joy.

"I'm sure a lot of people do realise what goes on behind the scenes of a business, but I listened to the radio this morning and ministers admitted we were also facing a mental health pandemic in Scotland.

"It would have been easy for me to sit at home for another three to six months and do nothing, but it doesn't help.

"Staring this has been so beneficial and I would recommend it to anyone who can do something similar."

Play Planet Cake Factory launched in early February and their products can be viewed on their Facebook page.