MP urges tax lifeline for seaside arcades

Conservative Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart said he been contacted by arcade owners in Hornsea and Withernsea who are concerned about the impact on their businesses of the forthcoming hike in VAT and rising gambling taxes.

He said the impending increase in VAT, which will rise to 20 per cent, added to previous tax rises under the last Government, could hit seaside economies hard, with the loss of family businesses, with a knock-on effect on other local businesses and jobs.

He is now asking the Treasury to "throw a lifeline" to arcade owners by abolishing the Amusement Machine Licence Duty for seaside amusement arcades, possibly with a limit on the number of machines that are taxable.

Mr Stuart said: "Arcades are an important part of the offer of a seaside town. We have fantastic beaches, fishing, wildlife and other attractions, but any family spending time on the coast may also want to enjoy the fun of the arcade.

"The arcades do not just have fruit machines; they provide a number of other family activities such as bowling alleys, skittles, and children's play parks. They are the lifeblood of a seaside town and employ many people."

Mr Stuart said the arcades were important to the prosperity of seaside towns.

He said: "Withernsea and Hornsea need their arcades and we all need to get behind them and make sure that they are profitable and can invest. Otherwise it's not just the arcades but the whole towns which will suffer."

Earlier this year he hosted a visit of Tobias Ellwood MP, the then Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, during which the pair met arcade owners in Hornsea and heard of their difficulties.