Bacta’s suggestion that the UK Government might consider an extra bank holiday later this year has gained support.
The idea was detailed in the organisation’s recent reopening report, “Returning the Fun to Britain’s High Streets and Seaside Towns – A plan to get the amusement machine sector back to work.”
Bacta's CEO John White said that at the time, the notion was one that hadn’t been seen elsewhere – whereas now, it appears to be a realistic prospect.
White said: “At the time, we hadn’t seen this suggestion anywhere else. We simply thought that our members could really do with the extra support, considering that Easter and the May Bank Holiday were effectively cancelled.”
The BBC and other news outlets report that the Government is considering an extra bank holiday in October, after Visit Britain’s acting head Patricia Yates mooted the idea.
Downing Street then said the government was supporting the tourism industry through this "challenging period" and would "respond in due course" to the proposal. However, a spokesman said it was "worth acknowledging that extra bank holidays do come with economic costs".
White added: “Whatever the outcome – it’s worth remembering that a story like this highlights the plight of the tourism sector and that’s what’s important. Visit Britain has estimated that the country will lose £15bn on inbound tourism this year. Our members, particularly on the coast need all the support they can get.”
