The owners of Mr P’s Classic Amusements have addressed the “incredible workload” facing amusement operators across the country as the cost of doing business continues to mount, telling customers “I cannot clearly see where we will all be in one year.”
The owners of Mr P’s Classic Amusements have spoken out on the challenges facing amusement businesses across the country, as the prospect of tax rises in the upcoming Budget casts “doom and gloom” over the sector.
Despite Mr P’s now approaching its 16th year of trading, Dave and Amelia Douglas stated there would be no anniversary party this year, telling customers “there is very little to celebrate” about the current trading landscape.
And let’s be honest: an amusements sector without operators like Mr P’s Classic Amusements would be a disaster on every level.
With a look directed at the government, the Douglases was very clear on the economic issues facing his and all high street operators over the past few years. “Running costs for every business have increased, we have pubs pulling their pints for the last time, arcades no longer spinning reels, restaurants going pop everyday, even the national chains are against the wall.”
“Sadly, and all too often, those who are in charge of things are also out of touch with the real world and the real people that make it spin. I cannot clearly see where we will all be in one year, let alone the next five (which is always how we plan things).”
Looking ahead to the tax changes anticipated in the Chancellor’s speech later this month, the Douglases offered little warmth for those in the Treasury. “We have been a bit doom and gloom of late over the Budget, and rightfully so. Other big companies have already come out and said how devastating the Budget on 26 November could be for them, Betfred possibly closing all 1,300 shops,” he noted.
“Gambling is something that will always be present, and to force it to be unsustainable then pushes it to black markets and terrorist-run venues. Let’s hope common sense prevails and the many of us who operate legitimate well regulated businesses can continue to trade.”
Though the Douglases also acknowledged the “day to day pressure and devastating impact” that running a business can have on operators, as well as the “incredible workload and pressure,” the pair added they are determined to keep Mr P’s trading for its loyal customers.
“We will keep pushing as hard as we can, keeping our bass tone of best percentages and fairest games, it has been enough to get us through previous times but as we tackle this battle we go in already battered and bruised.”
Handing things over to terrorist organisations
The Douglases said… “Gambling is something that will always be present, and to force it to be unsustainable then pushes it to black markets and terrorist-run venues. Let’s hope common sense prevails and the many of us who operate legitimate well regulated businesses can continue to trade…
