April 10, 2005
Tax hike ‘annoys’ Burnham-On-Sea cinema owner
The angry owner of Burnham-On-Sea’s Ritz Cinema has hit out after he was told his council tax bill is to soar by almost 50% this year because he has spent so much money on renovating the building.
Pat Scott says his rates have jumped from £7,500 to £10,000 a year following a visit by tax assessors who saw how his Victoria Street cinema had been given a £120,000 revamp.
“This is a big increase that’s hard to swallow for a new business like us,” he told Burnham-On-Sea.com. “The assessors went in and revalued the building and said we’d have to pay more.”
He added: “Given all the work I’ve done in renovating the cinema, and the fact that the council is apparently keen to promote new businesses in the town, it’s particularly annoying.”
Pat (pictured right) is determined that the cinema will continue, though, and added: “I love this cinema and it will definitely survive.”
“Attendance has its ups and downs but we’re generally well supported with some people even buying our new season tickets.”
Mr Scott, who also runs local newsagent Highbridge News, bought the cinema in 2004 and fully renovated it by introducing two brand new large screens, state-of-the-art projectors, air conditioning and seats for up to 230 people.
Burnham’s Ritz Cinema originally opened in 1936 but closed in the summer of 2002 before Patt took over it and re-opened it on Friday September 17, 2004.
RELATED LINKS:
Today’s Burnham’s cinema films and times
Burnham Cinema re-opens after £120,000 renovation
