Reeves savaged for 167% tax hike that leaves clubs ‘hanging in there’ | Politics | News
Labour’s business rates bombshell will force snooker clubs in England to close their doors, the sport’s governing body chief has warned. Jason Ferguson, who has run World Snooker for 15 years, made a dire prediction as the prestigious Masters tournament got underway at Alexandra Palace.
His intervention comes as hundreds of pubs, clubs and hospitality venues face demolition after the Government announced plans to end business rate support, which has left thousands facing skyrocketing bills. Some snooker clubs have been told their rates could rise by an eye-watering 167%; Owners of these increases say they would be fatal.
Mr Ferguson, 56, said he feared for the future of the clubs that underpinned the sport that produced legends such as Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry. He said pool halls were “not performing as well” as other businesses and many were “hanging around” due to costs.
Mr Ferguson said: “I fear for the future of snooker clubs in this country.”
“We started to see the effects of the interest rate increases. There were many clubs that came to us and said ‘look, our interest rates have increased significantly. It was already difficult, now it is even more difficult’.”
The sports chief called for a “change in attitudes towards snooker clubs”, urging authorities to stop viewing them as “an office block, a nightclub or a retail unit”. His warning was echoed by front-line club owners who said rate increases could deal a devastating blow to their business.
Dan Kirkland, owner of Spot On Snooker Club in Sheffield, which has welcomed legends such as Jimmy White and Dennis Taylor through its doors, said the changes would be “really detrimental”.
He criticized Chancellor Rachel Reeves for claiming she would cut interest rates “when the exact opposite of what’s going on is happening”. Mr Kirkland said the uncertainty was paralyzing clubs trying to plan for the future.
He said: “We don’t know and I don’t know what the rates will be next year.”
The Sheffield club owner has painted a devastating picture of what closures will mean for communities. He said: “This is irreversible damage to your communities. You’ll see snooker clubs, pubs, you’ll see leisure facilities nearby that are important to people’s well-being and their communities.”
Mr Kirkland explained that he opened his club at 9am so that elderly patrons could escape loneliness and play games with friends rather than staying at home watching daytime television. In a heartbreaking example of the role clubs play in the community, he said: “A homeless man came in and I gave him a few pounds on the table and let him play.
“Do I tell them I won’t open until 5pm because I won’t make any money until then?”
He added: “I’ve cut costs within the business and the club as much as possible.”
Conservative MP Sir Gavin Williamson has warned Labor must act urgently to prevent crippling tax rises that are destroying clubs across the snooker world. He said: “Unless action is taken quickly we will see many snooker clubs closing.
“The Chancellor’s actions will lead to the closure of many clubs, which are the heart of the community, due to significantly rising business rates and the increasing impact of national insurance.
“He needs to reverse this policy and do it quickly.”
A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesman noted a written response from sports minister Stephanie Peacock in December, which said the Government was “committed” to supporting grassroots sports clubs.
