New tax 'could kill off shows' (From Gazette & Herald)

New tax 'could kill off shows'

AGRICULTURAL shows in Ryedale could face extinction if a newly-proposed tax comes into force, organisers have warned.

Malton, Ryedale and Thornton-le-Dale shows would all be under threat if imminent changes to licensing laws mean they are forced to pay a minimum £5,000 fee to go ahead.

Peter Woodall, secretary of Ryedale Show, has labelled the plan 'crazy' and Ryedale District Councillor Robert Wainwright, who was last year's Malton Show president, said: "It would be another thorn in the side for rural communities."

Under the new legislation, from February 7 local authorities must issue standard charges to cover their costs for inspections and health and safety checks on one-off and annual events on temporary sites.

Events attracting more than 6,000 people could be hit with a minimum £5,000 fee, with the maximum being £50,000.

However, there is confusion over whether this would apply to shows. Following publicity on the subject, a spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "Only licensable activities need to be licensed. For example, most outdoor sports, flower shows and much of what goes on at an agricultural show are not licensable.

''While bars and public entertainment at such events may require a licence, it would seem unlikely that this would trigger the extra fee."

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has scheduled a meeting with the ministry to clarify the issue tomorrow.

Mr Woodall said: "There's lots of little country shows that are lucky to break even - it will just shut the shows.

"It just looks as though the Government want to kill every activity in the countryside."

Last year Ryedale show made £20,000, with an estimated 15,000 people turning out on the day. But he said the last two years have been the first since the foot and mouth outbreak that they have made a profit.

Coun Wainwright said: "Malton Show struggles to break even, this would make it non-viable, along with most other shows in Ryedale."

Martin Blythe, chairman of Thornton-le-Dale show and a support officer for Scarborough Borough Council, said: "If this tax applied to us it would put the shows future at risk to put it mildly.

''However, I have been making inquiries and I am hoping that it won't apply to us.

''I think even if it did, we may be afforded some kind of exemption as any profit is put back into the village and we really exist for the good of the community."

Ryedale MP John Greenway said: "I've had a letter from Peter Woodall of Ryedale Show and there does seem to be some truth in the story about introducing licensing fees for rural shows, so I've written to the Minister at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport saying that this clearly can't be the intention."

Brian Clark of CLA Yorkshire said: "We need clear reassurance.

''If they are now saying it doesn't apply it's contrary to what they have said before."

Updated: 12:09 Wednesday, January 12, 2005