The lack of movement on the stakes and prizes for Category D amusement machines in the Triennial Review was a blow to many UK family entertainment operators, it has been claimed.
Ahead of January’s EAG International Expo in London, Paul Kelly, chief executive of trade association BALPPA, said the organisation has been focused on lobbying parliament on important issues facing its members – with varying degrees of success.
“I think it would be fair to say that we’ve only been partially successful in getting our message across and, like many, have had some difficulties in getting to grips with ministerial and other changes at the DCMS,” he said. “A good example of this would be the recent Triennial Review, which has benefited some operators but has been a damp squib as far as Cat D has been concerned.
“The family entertainment businesses feel left out in the cold, effectively not having been awarded a Cat D stake increase for 20 years.”
During the EAG show, which takes place at London’s ExCel on January 21-23, BALPPA will be holding its AGM and is timing its annual dinner to coincide with the event. It will also be hosting a members’ lounge located on the expo floor.
“BALPPA’s members inevitably have many facets to their businesses and we have a strong coin-op membership, most of whom are joint members with BACTA,” Kelly said, adding that EAG will provide an important forum for the industry to discuss these latest issues.
“We know that EAG International has also attracted legislators in the past; it would be great to engage with them at the show if possible.”
