The Pavilion is one of five remaining seaside theatres in the UK (Image: Getty)
An iconic theatre in UK seaside town could be latest victim of Rachel Reeves’ budget.
The Pavilion Theatre in , Norfolk, is one of just five remaining end-of-pier in the UK.
A Grade-II listed former bandstand, the theatre has been in operation since 1905 and has hosted a number of famous faces including Ken Dodd and The Searchers alongside a popular Pier Show which has been described as “the West End coming to the seaside”.
But the historic tourist attraction could become the latest victim of ’ national insurance hike, potentially bringing a heartbreaking end to over a century’s entertainment.
Steffan Aquarone, Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, says the seaside theatre – alongside other venues in his constituency – could be forced to raise “thousands of pounds in donations” to keep the lights on in the wake of Ms Reeves’ autumn budget announcement.
The chancellor confirmed that the rate of NI paid by employers will rise from 13.8% to 15% in April 2025, and the threshold at which employers start paying tax on each worker’s salary is also set to be cut from £9,100 to £5,000.
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The theatre is one of the last remaining venues on the end of a pier (Image: Getty)
“The lack of protection for arts and cultural venues is hugely demoralising … and prevents them from making new investments and providing new opportunities locally,” Mr Aquarone told the .
He said theatre owners had told him they would “have to raise thousands of pounds in donations just to keep running” in light of the tax changes – signalling a “hammer blow” for the independent creative sector.
“Our small venues contribute so much to North Norfolk, both through the joy they bring with their events and … their contribution to our local economy and our tourism industry,” the MP added.
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The Budget’s impact on small theatre companies is just the latest sector declared to be at risk from the plans announced by the chancellor on October 31.
Just last week, Conservative ministers called on the government to publish the impact of the increase to employers’ NI on nurseries and sixth form colleges – suggesting that it could mean a “20% rise in fees for early years parents”.
Concerns have also been raised about the repercussions for UK social care, with many calling for care providers to be exempted from the tax change.