Memorandum by the British Associations
of Leisure Parks, Piers & Attractions Ltd (BALPPA) (CT 52)
INTRODUCTION
1. BALPPA is the leading trade association
representing the interests of owners, managers, suppliers and
developers in the UK's commercial piers, leisure parks, static
attractions and zoos sector. We speak for some 300 members and
include leading UK attractions like Blackpool Pleasure Beach,
Alton Towers, British Airways London Eye, Butlins, Colchester
Zoo, Madame Tussauds, Thorpe Park and Woburn Safari Park among
our members.
2. The BALPPA membership cover a wide range
of leisure attraction sectors but our obvious interest in this
inquiry predominantly stems from those BALPPA members who own,
maintain and operate seaside attractions from the Blackpool Pleasure
Beach complex through Butlins holiday locations to traditional
seaside arcades and Victorian piers such as those at Brighton
Llandudno, Clacton, Teignmouth and Blackpool. This particular
sector of BALPPA has much expertise in operating in various coastal
locations across the UK and has in many cases had a long-term
presence in these areas, with some family run businesses going
back generations.
3. BALPPA believes this is a very important
inquiry, investigating ways to continue the sustainable future
and preservation of businesses, jobs and community in the UK's
coastal towns and we outline our key thoughts in more detail below.
In summary BALPPA seeks:
— Specific ODPM consideration for schemes
and funding to assist in the long-term sustainability of coastal
towns.
— Particular attention for skills development,
business support, housing provision, community development, transport
links and all season employment opportunities.
— Private sector tourism involvement
in discussions with stakeholders seeking to introduce schemes
specifically targeted at coastal towns as these individuals and
their trade associations have much to offer to discussions and
debate.
SPECIAL INITIATIVES
TO TACKLE
THE NEEDS
OF COASTAL
TOWNS
4. BALPPA is urging ODPM to give special
consideration to the preservation of seaside piers. If we fail
to act we will lose in the 21st century what the Victorians bequeathed
to us in the 19th. Magnificent piers in our seaside towns that
are magnets for tourist activity. BALPPA is calling on the Government
to consider exempting Britain's remaining piers from the Uniform
Business Rate at a total annual cost to the Treasury of £1.7
million. This is a relatively small amount to help protect seaside
piers for the future and assist the seaside tourist economy.
5. Coastal towns are very important feature
of the UK, stretching across the length and breadth of the country.
They are a natural magnet for people of all generations and social
groups seeking some time away in a pleasant seaside environment
hoping to find accommodation, eateries, leisure and entertainment
facilities.
6. BALPPA has many members who are residents,
business people and employers in coastal towns and they are acutely
aware of the difficulties encountered by people living and working
in a seasonally focused environment, trying to secure employment
all year round whilst also trying to get their foot on the housing
ladder. In order for the government to be able to help coastal
towns, they must understand the particular problems experienced
by employers and employees, look at schemes to tackle the key
problems including seasonal employment and wider job opportunities.
In order to demonstrate to the people who live in coastal towns
their value to the UK, we should be encouraging them to develop
their skills, giving them the confidence to innovate and expand
their business interests, as well as providing enough housing
at reasonable prices to prevent young people leaving for pastures
new where they often see greater opportunities.
ODPM'S WORK
IN ADDRESSING
PROBLEMS FACING
COASTAL TOWNS
7. BALPPA has not previously been involved
with the ODPM in schemes to assist coastal regions as a specific
group but would be happy to become so. Furthermore BALPPA is firmly
of the view that the long term sustainability of coastal towns
requires careful thought and investment given their importance
to the UK generally and the tourism industry in particular.
ODPM'S LIAISON
WITH THE
DCMS
8. BALPPA believes that it is essential
that cross-departmental discussion occurs to ensure that all the
key elements that impact on coastal towns are considered. The
key department for BALPPA is the DCMS. which should be able to
provide assistance to the ODPM with its understanding of our traditional
tourist seaside destinations, businesses, skills, housing and
other employment issues. However these areas obviously draw on
other key government departments like the Department for Trade
and Industry, Department for Work and Pensions and Department
for Education and Skills, as well as the regional development
agencies, regional assemblies, local governments, tourism organisations,
business organisations and key sector skills agencies.
SPECIFIC REGIONAL
INITIATIVES AND
ADDRESSING REGIONAL
DISPARITIES
9. The UK coastal towns are a key feature
of our nation and although some have become very popular in recent
years, many towns are still in desperate need of government drive
and initiative to bring them up to date and stimulate innovation
and development to sustain their future viability. There are schemes
that the ODPM is undertaking to tackle regional issues, for example,
the Northern Way, as a growth strategy to boost prosperity and
productivity, looking at housing, transport, development and skills,
which seem to have been neglected in some regions over the years.
The Northern Way scheme is seeking to work with local stakeholders
to achieve the best for the region and may indeed cover coastal
areas of the northern region.
10. BALPPA is already trying to address
some of the issues affecting their members in this regard. We
engage with the DCMS regularly about issues affecting our industry.
We have built up a good relationship with the Highways Agency
to ensure that they are aware of key events our members are holding
and peak operation times when there is likely to be a large amount
of traffic. In turn, the Highways Agency lets us know about their
planned roadworks, so that we can make provision to inform our
customers appropriately. In general, BALPPA feels that a specific
scheme to help coastal regions would be very useful.
SECURITY OF
FUTURE FUNDING
FOR REGENERATING
AND SUPPORTING
COASTAL TOWNS
11. BALPPA believes that a government scheme
promoted by the ODPM would encourage a coordinated approach to
funding, supporting and regenerating our coastal towns. Many stakeholders,
both local, regional and national will have the expertise and
finances to assist to this regard, but the effort should be focused
and well organised in order for achievements to be made. Forums
for consultation and discussion should involve private sector
players as well as public sector stakeholders and BALPPA is one
organisation who would be very keen to be involved, bringing a
wealth of knowledge and expertise to discussions around this issue
which should be harnessed.
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