preg_replace_callback whitespace ignored in menu build

I am dynamically building a ulli menu from .json
I have searched a LOT on this and can’t seem to find a solution.
Everything works fine with the callback – the relevant file called delivers and the content code-build is fine… but, it all ignores white space on the page.

As I say, the code all works fine but… where is the white space? I replaced space with underscore and tried every permutation of 'strtr($data,'_',' ') and likewise with str_replace('_',' ',$data) – single quotes, double – ,in the build code, before the callback, after the callback… tearing a little hair out but, nothing. Also tried various alt codes for space eg. nbsp = more hair lost 🙂
Replace the space with ‘x’ and there is an ‘x’ – and why not? But why not a space? I am happy to put up code but I am sure you will likely say: "yes, that works for me…"

I suspect there is something stupidly simple that I am missing and hope you can forgive my current blindness, ignorance. Any suggestions or guidance would be gratefully received. Thank you.

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