Sad News!

[DavidB]

That's for tax reasons, assuming they are a charity - if they sell you an 'annual membership', and you're a UK taxpayer, they can ask you to gift-aid it, and they get back the tax you paid on that money - but they can't do that for a normal admission ticket.

So, if someone did not want to do Gift Aid and they were not likely to return again within a year, a lower admission fee could be charged. I have come across places that add something on to the admission price if people are prepared to do Gift Aid. Long and short, by not making it clear you are paying extra if you do Gift Aid (which I was not told when I visited Beamish this summer), they could be offering a lower admission charge. There is scope here for some 'misleading' and getting in a few extra pounds.

 

[PeteT]

So, if someone did not want to do Gift Aid and they were not likely to return again within a year, a lower admission fee could be charged. I have come across places that add something on to the admission price if people are prepared to do Gift Aid. Long and short, by not making it clear you are paying extra if you do Gift Aid (which I was not told when I visited Beamish this summer), they could be offering a lower admission charge. There is scope here for some 'misleading' and getting in a few extra pounds.

The case here is that they can't gift aid a pure admission fee - but if there is a donation as well then they can claim gift aid for both the donation and admission fee!

The two sets of fees are usually well noted on physical signage, even if the ticket sellers go with a 'this is the price' routine.

There is presumably some loop closing legislation which prevents the 'donation' element to be 1p.

 

[oldravendale]

The case here is that they can't gift aid a pure admission fee - but if there is a donation as well then they can claim gift aid for both the donation and admission fee!

The two sets of fees are usually well noted on physical signage, even if the ticket sellers go with a 'this is the price' routine.

There is presumably some loop closing legislation which prevents the 'donation' element to be 1p.

I didn't understand this to be the case until I took one of the "suppliers" to task over charging more if Gift Aid was involved and then, in the nicest possible way, I was taught chapter and verse. I now take the (usually small) hit in order to make the Gift Aid. Typically HMRC cockamamie and over complicated approach IMHO.

Brian

 

[Keith Non Sparks]

I have had the privilege of dealing with Peco over many years, they are a business of great integrity, their manufacturing being kept on site in the UK. They have invested in modern technology and also employ from the local area. They provide many components across multiple gauges, they have taken businesses such as Parkside and Ratio into the fold, keeping their products on the market. The retail shop in Beer is expensive, however I believe this is to not undercut model shops. The shop is hardly “desperate “ it is well stocked and neat and tidy, a bit like the photos of the gardens. The knowledgeable staff are also on hand to give advice, which I have witnessed on multiple occasions.
The closure ( for the time being) of Pecorama is a shame, I have family over from New Zealand next summer, they had requested a visit to Pecorama, it’s a shame we have to disappoint, but the manufacturing business cannot subside the attraction. Peco may not be a brand recognised by many non model railway people, especially outside of Devon, but in terms of British model railways they stand head and shoulders above most others IMHO.

Keith

 

[76043]

I completely agree, keeping manufacturing in Devon is to be lauded and is valuable to the local economy. Dapol are also to be commended for bringing more manufacturing back to the UK, but Peco have always made it all here! (Except some of the electronics I understand)

The shop could be described as desperate if you are a regular at Tiffany's.

Tony