Several attraction and amusement businesses in North Devon have told the BBC that they will reduce staffing numbers and opening times this season as they struggle to find the “huge amounts of money” demanded by NIC increases and rising wages. Among them is arcade operator Rob Braddick.

Businesses across North Devon’s attraction and amusement sector have warned they will be forced to reduce staff numbers and cut opening hours in response to a “huge increase” in costs brought about by the rise in NICs and wages.

Speaking to the BBC, amusement arcade and hospitality operator Rob Braddick said the changes will add £180,000 to the annual cost of doing business and will force him to “shrink down” his 175-strong team in order to survive.

“We’ll look at rotas and try to shave a bit here and there,” said Braddick. “We have three bars, and we used to have a pool of people in each bar, but now we’re going to have one pool for all three.”

“We will have less staff, and if somebody leaves, I’m going to try and try and fill that gap without employing anybody else. It’s going to be an interesting time, we’ll do it, but it is a big old chunk of money to find.”

Counting the cost on The Big Sheep theme park in Bideford, owner Rick Turner said his NI and payroll outgoings were set to rise by £40,000 – “so huge amounts of money.”

“We’ll be employing fewer students, and we’re looking to work with another business and share some staff. When young people’s minimum wage has gone up by 16 percent for one age group, and 18 percent for another age group, that is a huge increase in a single year.”

Angus Murray, who owns Buckfastleigh tourist attraction Pennywell Farm, added the increased rates are “a challenge, every business has them, you’ve just got to look at ways of overcoming them.”