Energy bills and labour costs putting pressure on seaside trade

COASTAL BUSINESSES TIGHTENING THEIR BELTS WITH FEWER EMPLOYEES BEING TAKEN ON

- By JAMES KNUCKEY

ONE of Britain's most beloved coastal amusement parks, Fantasy Island, has been compelled to reduce its opening times following the implementation of Rachel Reeves' so-called jobs tax, which has significantly increased its wage expenses.

The Ingoldmells park is among several local enterprises that have described this year as particularly challenging, attributing their difficulties to the policies emanating from 10 and 11 Downing Street.

We attended a discussion between Fantasy Island representatives and Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK.

Mr Tice, who serves as the MP for the region, warned that the Chancellor's strategies might result in a "terrifying double whammy to the national accounts"

James Mellors, director of Mellors Group which operates Fantasy Island, said that the popular venue is being severely impacted by escalating labour costs and energy prices.

In response to these financial pressures, the theme park has had to make tough choices to decrease its running costs.

Now, during the quieter season, the park has shifted to a five-day week instead of its usual seven-day operation and is closing earlier to conserve funds, reports the Express.

As one of the largest employers in the area, Fantasy Island has also had to cut its seasonal workforce by roughly 50 (15 per cent), facing an additional burden of up to £400,000 solely in National Insurance contributions.

"I feel like we're getting hit in more ways than one," said Mr Mellors. "We're absolutely getting punched. Our electricity has gone up it was £600,000 in 2022, we're now over £1 million ... so we're closing two days, we've got to reduce power.

"We can't run a theme park without power. It's alright saying 'go sustainable', we could put as many wind turbines in as we want and it's not going to give us the power we need each day.