Amusement arcades casualty of credit crunch, says MP

THE slot machine industry – once regarded as a backbone of the East Coast’s tourist industry – has become another casualty of the credit crunch, according to an MP.

Whatever the weather or economy, the penny arcades which have drawn generations of visitors to the coast were always regarded as a licence to print money.

But even the one-armed bandit no longer has the lure to tempt holidaymakers, many of whom are staying at home because of the recession.

Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart is calling for Tobias Ellwood, Shadow Minister, Culture, Media and Sport, to see for himself how hard-pressed arcade owners are faring in Hornsea.

He says a visit by the Minister will underline the need for the revitalisation of the tourist economy all along the East Coast.

“I hate to admit it, but visiting these arcades in Hornsea was depressing. The owners are struggling with rates and council tax payments and at the same time there appear to be fewer people visiting the arcades to spend their hard-earned money.

“The coastal towns in the constituency used to be thriving tourist hot spots and – while I appreciate times have changed – they could still offer so much to visitors to the area.”

Mr Stuart met the mother and daughter owners of Pastimes and Regal Amusements in Hornsea, Barbara Underwood and Alyson Underwood.

“They told me there needed to be some way of encouraging the amusement arcades to flourish so they would, in turn, entice more visitors to the town,” Mr Stuart added.

The MP’s call comes amid the countdown to the launch of the key publication Coastal Regeneration in England 2010, and its website www.coastalcommunities.co.uk

The book and website’s primary aim is to reduce deprivation and improve the quality of life in coastal resorts.

Lincolnshire County Council principal policy officer Patrick Browne co-edited the Coastal Communities Alliance (CCA) handbook with social historian Professor John K Walton.

Mr Browne said: “The handbook is born of a desire by the CCA to maintain and extend the national debate on how to address the complex social and economic problems associated with English coastal resorts.”