commercial
news & jobs at www.leisureopportunities.co.uk
iN briEf
Pubs to be hit by gambling tax change
New powers for lap-
Quiz and gaming machines targeted as part of new HMRC reclassification plans
dancing clampdown
Local authorities across the By Martin Nash
country will be able to set a cap
on the number of lap-dancing In a response to government
venues within a particular area plans to change the taxation of
as part of new powers confirmed pub quiz and games machines
by the Home Office. From 6 April, like Cluedo, Who Wants To Be
councils will be able to consider A Millionaire and Monopoly,
a wider range of objections to the British Beer and Pub
new 'sexual entertainment' clubs, Association (BBPA) says it
while existing venues will be believes tax revenues gained
forced to apply for a new licence from the move will be far
within six months. The new outweighed by the tax lost.
powers follows lobbying by the HM Revenue and Customs
Local Government Association (HMRC) aims to reclassify Skills Quiz games are to be grouped together with gambling machines
group to close a loophole in the with Prizes (SWP) machines as
2003 Licensing Act. gambling machines, which will been covered by Amusement putting pubs – currently
make them liable for gaming Machine Licence Duty. closing at the rate of 39 a week
Council approves AECC
machine tax. It also wants to The BBPA calculates that, – under further threat.
financial package
make the tax retrospective for with an estimated 35,000 SWP Brigid Simmonds, chief
Aberdeen Exhibition and the last three years. machines being used in the UK, executive of the BBPA said,
Conference Centre (AECC) has SWP machines have always the cost to the industry of the "The perverse result of this tax
been given more time to repay a been recognised as distinct and proposed tax will be £85m, or change will be to switch more
£7.5m loan as part of a new different from gambling £2,500 per pub. people onto gambling as quiz
package approved by the local machines such as fruit ma- It argues the move will result machines are switched off
authority to help secure the chines. Gambling machines, in fewer people playing SWP across Britain.
venue's future. The venue now where chance is the deciding machines for entertainment "That cannot be a sensible or
has until 2017 to pay back the factor on whether a player wins and more people playing fruit sustainable public policy
amount it owes to Aberdeen City a cash payout, have always machines to gamble, while also outcome for government."
Council after officials agreed to a
raft of measures, designed to
Merlin flotation
ensure the centre remains open
'still an option'
New-look Silverstone approved
amid concerns over its finances.
Visitor attraction operator By Pete Hayman
UK holiday parks
Merlin Entertainments has
set for strong 2010
confirmed that plans for a Formula One Management has
Pontin's and Butlins are in line floatation on the London given the green light for
for a successful summer after Stock Exchange are still Silverstone Circuits to stage the
both companies reported an "under consideration". 2010 British Grand Prix on the
increase in bookings for 2010. The group, which owns new £5m Arena Grand Prix
Economic concerns continue to Alton Towers, the London Circuit at the venue.
affect Britons' holiday choices, Eye and Legoland, said it Most of Silverstone's existing
with Pontin's posting a increase does not expect to reach straights and high-speed The reworked circuit is part of
in summer bookings of more a decision over its future, corners have been retained as a wider overhaul of the venue
than 22 per cent during January. following claims it had part of the redevelopment
Pontins chair Graham Parr said: suspended flotation plans. scheme, although a new stands in a bid to boost the
"With the winter seeing some of In a statement, a Merlin section has been added after venue's spectator experience.
the worst weather in more than Entertainments spokesper- Abbey Corner to take drivers Silverstone Circuits managing
60 years and retailers reporting son said: "All options, towards Becketts and into an director Richard Phillips said:
their worst January trading for including an IPO, remain Arena Complex. "Some will miss not seeing F1
more than 15 years, it is no under consideration, but Work is due for completion cars accelerating through
surprise that people see the the group does not expect in March, which has also Bridge, but we have to move
need to plan ahead for holidays to reach any conclusion in included the construction of with the times and continue
at a price that offers the near future." elevated viewing banks and the looking at ways to improve the
outstanding value for money." relocation of existing grand- overall experience."
8 Read Leisure Opportunities online www.leisureopportunities.com/digital © Cybertrek 2010
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32