Rachel Reeves torn apart by owner of famous UK theme park – ‘she’s cost us £600k’

The owner of the Adventure Island theme park in Southend-on-Sea, , has hit out at ’ Budget, telling the Daily Express: “I feel like I am under siege from the Government.”

Philip Miller said the immediate effect of the is “£600,000 straight off out of the turnover”.

He has reduced his staffing levels and intends to hire 200 fewer seasonal staff this summer.

“We’ve also cut any heavy capital expenditure. Normally, I’m always looking for a new ride or new attraction, but I’ve said, ‘No, we’ll hold on for that’,” he added.

He said the theme park, which is free to enter and employs around 450 permanent staff, has had no choice but to increase prices.

“Last year, I was assessed as the best value theme park in the UK by an independent body. I’ve had to put [prices] up by 25% on our annual passes, which is the bulk of our customers, just in the hope that’s going to help towards that £600,000, which no doubt it won’t but it will help towards it hopefully.

“And this is at a time when we’ve been desperately keeping all our prices low.”

Mr Miller said the impact on his business, at the entrance to Southend’s famous pleasure pier which is the longest in the world, coupled with changes to inheritance tax, has made him feel like the Government is attacking him.

He said: “I can’t afford to die because if I do, the taxman will take such a big chunk of it, they [his family] will have to sell the business just to pay the tax bill.”

Mr Miller’s comments come as Wicksteed Park, one of the oldest theme parks in the UK, , attributed in part to the Budget.

The Northamptonshire park is set in over 281 acres of stunning free-to-enter grounds, including nature trails and a lake.

Wicksteed, which has more than 25 rides and attractions, aims to support the local community’s wellbeing, with one visitor describing it as a “lifeline”.