Saving Our Seasides – Why Government Must Listen

by Joseph Cullis, Bacta President

Every summer, millions of families head to the coast to breathe in the sea air, eat fish and chips on the beach, and play in our arcades. These venues are not just places of harmless fun – they are part of our national heritage, as recognisable a symbol of British seaside life as the pier or the deckchair.

That is not just my view. New polling commissioned by Bacta shows that 8 in 10 Brits believe seaside arcades are a treasured part of our culture. Among young people, that rises to 9 in 10. More than half of Generation Z say no trip to the seaside is complete without a visit. Far from being a relic of the past, arcades are at the heart of a generational revival.

Yet despite this overwhelming public support, these much-loved institutions face a perfect storm. Unsustainable energy costs, higher operational bills, and now the threat of new taxes are putting their future at risk. A proposal to increase gambling taxes on arcades – on top of everything else – would not just be bad policy, it would be profoundly unpopular.

Our research found that 72% of the public want local councils and government to do more to protect arcades, rising to 86% among younger adults. People see arcades as affordable, safe and family-friendly. They know that they bring life and jobs to coastal communities. They don’t want to see them taxed out of existence.

That is why Bacta will continue to make the case for fair treatment. This polling underlines the importance of government engagement now more than ever. Ministers, MPs and councillors need to understand that supporting arcades is not a niche issue – it is about sustaining seaside economies, protecting jobs, and preserving a living piece of our culture.

I am proud to lead an industry that is loved across generations. But this alone will not keep the lights on. We need proportionate policy that recognises our social responsibility record and supports our role in keeping the Great British seaside alive.

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21 August 2025

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