The significant changes being introduced to the charging and collection of business rates have been much in the news this week.
Nick Thomas, chairman and founder of one of Europe's largest broad-based entertainment groups, Qdos Entertainment, has been amongst those to have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond MP, calling on him to reconsider the business rates changes.
Thomas's concerns include the "disproportionate impact" on regional theatres which, if left unviable, would be forced to close.
Qdos subsidiary, HQ Theatres & Hospitality, operates 18 venues on behalf of local government partners including the Orchard Theatre Dartford, the White Rock Theatre Hastings, the Arts Centre Swindon and The Churchill Theatre Bromley.
The organisation is looking at an increase of almost 30% in business rates in conjunction with the existing financial pressures of local government cuts and economic uncertainty following the Brexit vote.