The directors of Sandown Pier on the Isle of Wight have warned that the government’s rumoured increase in MGD from 20 to 50 percent would result in the closure of the attraction, telling the County Press “what they believe they are doing is simply squeezing a lemon for more juice, where the reality is they are cutting down the tree.”
The directors of Sandown Pier on the Isle of Wight have warned that the proposed 150 percent increase in Machine Games Duty would spell the end for the attraction, telling the County Press “there’s not a pier or an amusement park in the country that could survive.”
Wayne and Ellery Peak, whose family has operated the local landmark since 1984, warned that proposals put forward by the IPPR to increase MGD to 50 percent would cause “irreparable” damage to seaside amusements.
“It can’t operate with those taxes. It’s finished,” said Wayne Peak. “For us, to be taxed at that percentage it’s a non-starter. They are our biggest earners – and if we didn’t have them, we can’t maintain here.”
“As soon as it comes in, six months down the line, the doors are shut. And that’s not just me, that’s the British coast. There’s not a pier or an amusement park in the country that could survive this.”
Speaking on the government’s seeming enthusiasm for the increase, Ellery Peak said: “They can’t see from figures on a screen what this stream of revenue goes towards in our business and the costs it helps to cover.”
“I think it’s with this naivety, that all they believe they are doing is simply squeezing a lemon for more juice, where the reality is they are cutting down the tree. This will unfortunately impact the seaside and high street across the nation in irreparable ways.”
Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson echoed the Peak’s concerns, adding: “The Treasury must carefully consider the evidence from industry stakeholders ahead of the upcoming Budget to ensure that any tax changes do not undermine local tourism or seaside communities.”
A tax too far
Wayne Peak said… “It can’t operate with those taxes. It’s finished. For us, to be taxed at that percentage it’s a non-starter. They are our biggest earners – and if we didn’t have them, we can’t maintain here…
