May 4, 2020

The tourism industry will need further support to help businesses recover once the lockdown is lifted.

That’s the clear message Clacton Pier Director Billy Ball has sent to politicians involved in an urgent inquiry into the future of the sector.

The Pier has joined forces with the National Piers Society to take part in the consultation exercise being undertaken by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Hospitality and Tourism.

Mr Ball set out a whole raft of financial measures which will be needed from the Government in the recovery period when restrictions are lifted.

These include extending the job retention scheme, possibly on a reduced percentage; rates relief for the leisure industry and supply chain; increased grants and deferral of indirect tax payments such as PAYE, VAT and Machines Games duty until Summer 2021.

He also put forward a reduction in VAT until Summer 2021 and a rebate, extension or future fee reduction for various licenses.

Mr Ball made it clear that the Pier will be ready to open various areas of the attraction in a staggered manner.

“We are not an all or nothing attraction – we are the largest pleasure pier in Europe at 6.5 acres – and as such can open different departments at different times,” he added.

“This would help us to restore some level of income and small numbers of staff could be brought back to work and reduce some of those on the job retention scheme.”

Mr Ball said the Pier has already started to risk assess separate areas and look at ways of upping cleaning and hygiene measures but felt that some standard guidance from the Government would be helpful.

As part of the consultation exercise, he also called for an additional day to the August Bank Holiday (if open) and an extra Bank Holiday in early Autumn.

Mr Ball also suggested further support for tourism promotional bodies to push British holidays and breaks.

The responses were sent back on April 27 and the APPG is aiming to publish its findings and report in full by the middle of this month.

Tim Wardley, from the National Piers Society, said that he was delighted to team up with Clacton Pier to provide feedback to the group.

“It is important that those on the frontline of the sector have the chance to speak up and we will continue to press the case for our piers and the tourism industry in general,” he added.

Mr Ball thanked the Government for the financial help it has provided already to businesses which gives hope for the future.

“Without it around 80 jobs would almost certainly have been lost at Clacton Pier and we welcome what has been done through initiatives such as the job retention scheme,” he added.

“There are encouraging signs that the Government intends to continue to provide assistance. Only this week DEFRA has contacted us about the Seaquarium and asked how we are managing to look after our fish and animals and what support can be given.

“Tendring Council has also asked us to join them in supplying further information to the Government on the way forward for tourism.

“We are being consulted and asked about the issues we face and this – along with finding new initiatives to raise money – gives us a certain level of confidence for the future, although there is no doubt it will be very tough.”

Ends

PHOTO: Directors Elliot Ball (left) and Billy Ball (right) with the National Piers Society's Tim Wardley in Clacton last year.