Latest news with #Gracey
Glasgow Times
04-07-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow Silverburn TK Maxx bosses blasted by angry Milton dad
Tony and Carrie Pearson were shopping at TK Maxx in Silverburn with two-year-old Gracey, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), when they were told by staff that the elevator from the upper level was out of service. Tony says he was left with no other option but to lift Gracey in her tiny panthera micro-chair and try and make their way to the ground floor after being offered no assistance by store management. The 36-year-old from Milton told the Glasgow Times how his daughter was badly upset and says that store bosses should have a back-up plan for when the lift is out of operation. Tony carrying daughter Gracey in her wheelchair after the lift at TK Maxx broke. (Image: supplied) He added: 'I'm totally appalled at what happened on Wednesday. Not only is it unacceptable, but it is discriminatory against disabled people. 'I had no choice but to carry Gracey down an escalator in front of people in her tiny wheelchair, which is obviously dangerous. There was simply no other was to get down to the ground floor and she was clearly upset by what was going on. 'What should have been a nice family day out to buy clothes for our summer holiday turned into a shambles. What if someone with a disability was out shopping alone and did not have anyone to help them get back down from the upper level? They would basically be stuck, which is totally unacceptable.' Tony says the family have now received an apology from bosses at TK Maxx. Gracey (Image: supplied) He added: 'They said they were sorry for any upset caused, but to me that's not good enough. It's hard enough for people living with a disability without making them feel even more isolated. It was basically just a case of being told that the elevator was out of action and the staff were waiting for an engineer to arrive, but they had no idea when it would be fixed.' Tony carrying Gracey in her wheelchair after the TK Maxx lift broke (Image: supplied) Little Gracey relies on specialist medication costing around £8000 per month to help with her condition that causes muscle weakness and affects movement, breathing and swallowing. The couple are currently campaigning for early diagnosis and treatment of SMA and are calling on the Scottish Government to introduce newborn blood spot screening. (Image: supplied) Tony added: 'Early diagnosis of the condition is vital to help with long term development. Currently the NHS offers a heel prick that takes blood when babies are five days old and tests for nine rare but serious conditions however, this does not include SMA. One in 40 people unknowingly carry the gene responsible and that why testing is so vital. 'America and other countries in Europe test for it but Scotland is shockingly far behind, and this urgently needs to change. Finding SMA early can open up gene therapy, which can halt progression of the disease and give kids like Gracey the healthy and happy future they deserve.' Tony previously raised over £3,000 towards research by completing a gruelling 43 mile walk from Edinburgh to Glasgow. He added: 'We want to do all we can to raise awareness of SMA and help fund more research into therapies. Right now, Gracey's medication is making a massive difference to her quality of life. She's able to stand with aids, goes to physio and swimming sessions to build muscle in her legs. She's just amazing, a wee fighter and our little warrior' A spokesperson for Silverburn said: 'We were very sorry to learn about this family's experience and understand how distressing the situation must have been. 'While the lifts for individual stores are the responsibility of those retailers, we will always try to assist any guest who needs help while visiting Silverburn. Had we been made aware at the time, our team would have done everything possible to support the family using the equipment and assistance we have available.' TK Maxx did not respond to our approach for comment.
Express Tribune
18-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
West End beats Broadway
London's West End theatres are enjoying record ticket sales and drawing millions of pounds of investment as a pandemic-era tax break that will become permanent next month persuades some producers to choose Britain over Broadway. A record 17.1 million people attended West End shows in 2023, and a similar number in 2024, according to the Society of London Theatre. That compares to 15.3 million in 2019, before COVID-19 shut entertainment venues globally. Audiences in New York are meanwhile down by nearly a fifth from pre-pandemic levels, figures from the Broadway League show. Producers cite lower costs in London than on Broadway, which has a comparable but less generous tax scheme, as well as the attraction of one of the world's richest theatre traditions. "I will absolutely say, and I say this both with knowledge and with love, the UK is the best place in the world to make and to see theatre," SOLT board member Patrick Gracey said. Gracey, who has produced West End and Broadway shows, led efforts to persuade Britain's Labour government to maintain the scheme introduced by its Conservative predecessor, which offers tax relief for touring shows of up to 45 per cent of production costs. Finance minister Rachel Reeves confirmed in October the tax break would stay rather than progressively decrease from April. "The costs themselves are lower (in London), but the tax incentive makes it a no-brainer," said New York-based accountant and theatre specialist Scott Bartolf, who works with producers in both cities. Greater variety Theatre industry bodies elsewhere are calling for similar initiatives, including in Gracey's native Australia. "(The tax scheme) has been widely recognised as a game-changer for the UK theatre industry," Live Performance Australia said in an emailed statement. "It has made the UK a much more compelling proposition for investors in theatre." Henny Finch, joint CEO of London's Donmar Warehouse, said the tax break was a lifeline without which the theatre would have to reduce the size and number of new productions. And because it applies to touring productions, theatres outside the British capital, many of which have seen their funding dwindle with public spending cuts, also get a boost. Steve Mannix of the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, southeast England, said the tax break helped provide "an essential source of income for regional theatres". New York's tax incentives, in place since 2021, allow Broadway theatre companies to claim tax credits for up to 25 per cent of production expenses, capped at $3 million per production. The scheme, worth a total $300 million, is due to expire in September, but under New York budget proposals could be extended for two years with a top-up of $100 million. Even so, producing a musical on Broadway costs three to five times as much as in the West End, according to an analysis by Gordon Cox, contributing theatre editor for Variety. The Broadway League has more than 700 members, including producers, theatre owners and operators. It estimates 12.3 million admissions in the 2023-2024 season, which ended in May last year, 16.8% less than the record hit in 2018-2019. That partly reflects the slower return of audiences from the outskirts of New York, said the League's president Jason Laks. Ticket prices are also far higher than in London. Laks also saw Britain's tax scheme as a lure. "Our Broadway theatres can't move, but the productions can, and I get that, and so a producer may choose to produce or open a show in the UK because of the favourable economic tax credits that they have over there," he said. Economic rationale Britain's creative industries are among those identified by Reeves as potential motors for economic growth, and the 126-billion-pound sector has shown a faster recovery from the pandemic compared to the wider economy. Research by SOLT has found that for every pound spent on a theatre ticket, 1.40 pounds is spent in the local area, including in bars and restaurants. Harder to measure is the West End's contribution to Britain's soft power: it attracts tens of thousands of visitors each day to its 39 theatres in the heart of London. Broadway has 41 theatres. Arts minister Chris Bryant told Reuters via email the tax relief would help to ensure "top quality productions" across the country and especially in London. "London is the world's premier destination for theatre-goers, drawing in hundreds of thousands of people every year, and making a significant contribution to the capital's economy," he said. Local versus national Data obtained by Reuters via a freedom of information request show London productions received 42 million pounds of 66 million paid in theatre tax relief in the financial year 2021-22. The rest of the southeast received 6 million pounds, and other regions between 1 million and 2 million pounds apiece. But provincial theatres have also benefited. Producer Jamie Wilson said the tax scheme had influenced his decision to trial musical The Devil Wears Prada on audiences in Plymouth, southwest England, before its London opening. Leeds Playhouse, whose In Dreams premiered in the northern English city then moved to Toronto, said the tax break "has enabled us to continue to co-produce shows which otherwise would have been threatened by the current economic pressures". Regional theatres nevertheless "desperately need more money to support the infrastructure", Wilson said. A SOLT report published in July 2024 found 40 per cent of 65 theatre venues surveyed across the UK would become too unsafe to use within five years without a capital injection. With producers saying there are not enough West End venues to meet demand, those theatres could get a boost if more Broadway productions head to Britain. "They won't be able to find a West End theatre, so they will be looking for a regional theatre to open those musicals, which is great for the regions," Wilson said. Reuters
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
West End beats Broadway in theatre revival. What's the secret?
By Barbara Lewis and Muvija M LONDON (Reuters) - London's West End theatres are enjoying record ticket sales and drawing millions of pounds of investment as a pandemic-era tax break that will become permanent next month persuades some producers to choose Britain over Broadway. A record 17.1 million people attended West End shows in 2023, and a similar number in 2024, according to the Society of London Theatre (SOLT). That compares to 15.3 million in 2019, before COVID-19 shut entertainment venues globally. Audiences in New York are meanwhile down by nearly a fifth from pre-pandemic levels, figures from the Broadway League show. Producers cite lower costs in London than on Broadway, which has a comparable but less generous tax scheme, as well as the attraction of one of the world's richest theatre traditions. "I will absolutely say, and I say this both with knowledge and with love, the UK is the best place in the world to make and to see theatre," SOLT board member Patrick Gracey said. Gracey, who has produced West End and Broadway shows, led efforts to persuade Britain's Labour government to maintain the scheme introduced by its Conservative predecessor, which offers tax relief for touring shows of up to 45% of production costs. Finance minister Rachel Reeves confirmed in October the tax break would stay rather than progressively decrease from April. "The costs themselves are lower (in London), but the tax incentive makes it a no-brainer," said New York-based accountant and theatre specialist Scott Bartolf, who works with producers in both cities. GREATER VARIETY AND BIGGER PRODUCTIONS Theatre industry bodies elsewhere are calling for similar initiatives, including in Gracey's native Australia. "(The tax scheme) has been widely recognised as a game-changer for the UK theatre industry," Live Performance Australia said in an emailed statement. "It has made the UK a much more compelling proposition for investors in theatre." Henny Finch, joint CEO of London's Donmar Warehouse, said the tax break was a lifeline without which the theatre would have to reduce the size and number of new productions. And because it applies to touring productions, theatres outside the British capital, many of which have seen their funding dwindle with public spending cuts, also get a boost. Steve Mannix of the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, southeast England, said the tax break helped provide "an essential source of income for regional theatres". New York's tax incentives, in place since 2021, allow Broadway theatre companies to claim tax credits for up to 25% of production expenses, capped at $3 million per production. The scheme, worth a total $300 million, is due to expire in September, but under New York budget proposals could be extended for two years with a top-up of $100 million. Even so, producing a musical on Broadway costs 3-5 times as much as in the West End, according to an analysis by Gordon Cox, contributing theatre editor for Variety. The Broadway League has more than 700 members, including producers, theatre owners and operators. It estimates 12.3 million admissions in the 2023-2024 season, which ended in May last year, 16.8% less than the record hit in 2018-2019. That partly reflects the slower return of audiences from the outskirts of New York, said the League's president Jason Laks. Ticket prices are also far higher than in London. Laks also saw Britain's tax scheme as a lure. "Our Broadway theatres can't move, but the productions can, and I get that, and so a producer may choose to produce or open a show in the UK because of the favourable economic tax credits that they have over there," he said. ECONOMIC RATIONALE Britain's creative industries are among those identified by Reeves as potential motors for economic growth, and the 126-billion-pound sector has shown a faster recovery from the pandemic compared to the wider economy. Research by SOLT has found that for every pound spent on a theatre ticket, 1.40 pounds is spent in the local area, including in bars and restaurants. Harder to measure is the West End's contribution to Britain's soft power: it attracts tens of thousands of visitors each day to its 39 theatres in the heart of London. Broadway has 41 theatres. Arts minister Chris Bryant told Reuters via email the tax relief would help to ensure "top quality productions" across the country and especially in London. "London is the world's premier destination for theatre-goers, drawing in hundreds of thousands of people every year, and making a significant contribution to the capital's economy," he said. LOCAL VERSUS NATIONAL Data obtained by Reuters via a freedom of information request show London productions received 42 million pounds of 66 million paid in theatre tax relief in the financial year 2021-22. The rest of the southeast received 6 million pounds, and other regions between 1 million and 2 million pounds apiece. But provincial theatres have also benefited. Producer Jamie Wilson said the tax scheme had influenced his decision to trial musical "The Devil Wears Prada" on audiences in Plymouth, southwest England, before its London opening. Leeds Playhouse, whose "In Dreams" premiered in the northern English city then moved to Toronto, said the tax break "has enabled us to continue to co-produce shows ... which otherwise would have been threatened by the current economic pressures". Regional theatres nevertheless "desperately need more money to support the infrastructure", Wilson said. A SOLT report published in July 2024 found 40% of 65 theatre venues surveyed across the UK would become too unsafe to use within five years without a capital injection. With producers saying there are not enough West End venues to meet demand, those theatres could get a boost if more Broadway productions head to Britain. "They won't be able to find a West End theatre, so they will be looking for a regional theatre to open those musicals, which is great ... for the regions," Wilson said. ($1 = 0.7788 pounds)
Reuters
15-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Focus: West End beats Broadway in theatre revival. What's the secret?
Summary Tax break becomes permanent from April Cost is much more to stage a musical on Broadway versus London Theatres benefit local economies As London fills up, producers look to the provinces LONDON, March 15 (Reuters) - London's West End theatres are enjoying record ticket sales and drawing millions of pounds of investment as a pandemic-era tax break that will become permanent next month persuades some producers to choose Britain over Broadway. A record 17.1 million people attended West End shows in 2023, and a similar number in 2024, according to the Society of London Theatre (SOLT). That compares to 15.3 million in 2019, before COVID-19 shut entertainment venues globally. Audiences in New York are meanwhile down by nearly a fifth from pre-pandemic levels, figures from the Broadway League show. Producers cite lower costs in London than on Broadway, which has a comparable but less generous tax scheme, as well as the attraction of one of the world's richest theatre traditions. "I will absolutely say, and I say this both with knowledge and with love, the UK is the best place in the world to make and to see theatre," SOLT board member Patrick Gracey said. Gracey, who has produced West End and Broadway shows, led efforts to persuade Britain's Labour government to maintain the scheme introduced by its Conservative predecessor, which offers tax relief for touring shows of up to 45% of production costs. Finance minister Rachel Reeves confirmed in October the tax break would stay rather than progressively decrease from April. "The costs themselves are lower (in London), but the tax incentive makes it a no-brainer," said New York-based accountant and theatre specialist Scott Bartolf, who works with producers in both cities. GREATER VARIETY AND BIGGER PRODUCTIONS Theatre industry bodies elsewhere are calling for similar initiatives, including in Gracey's native Australia. "(The tax scheme) has been widely recognised as a game-changer for the UK theatre industry," Live Performance Australia said in an emailed statement. "It has made the UK a much more compelling proposition for investors in theatre." Henny Finch, joint CEO of London's Donmar Warehouse, said the tax break was a lifeline without which the theatre would have to reduce the size and number of new productions. And because it applies to touring productions, theatres outside the British capital, many of which have seen their funding dwindle with public spending cuts, also get a boost. Steve Mannix of the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, southeast England, said the tax break helped provide "an essential source of income for regional theatres". New York's tax incentives, in place since 2021, allow Broadway theatre companies to claim tax credits for up to 25% of production expenses, capped at $3 million per production. The scheme, worth a total $300 million, is due to expire in September, but under New York budget proposals could be extended for two years with a top-up of $100 million. Even so, producing a musical on Broadway costs 3-5 times as much as in the West End, according to an analysis by Gordon Cox, contributing theatre editor for Variety. The Broadway League has more than 700 members, including producers, theatre owners and operators. It estimates 12.3 million admissions in the 2023-2024 season, which ended in May last year, 16.8% less than the record hit in 2018-2019. That partly reflects the slower return of audiences from the outskirts of New York, said the League's president Jason Laks. Ticket prices are also far higher than in London. Laks also saw Britain's tax scheme as a lure. "Our Broadway theatres can't move, but the productions can, and I get that, and so a producer may choose to produce or open a show in the UK because of the favourable economic tax credits that they have over there," he said. ECONOMIC RATIONALE Britain's creative industries are among those identified by Reeves as potential motors for economic growth, and the 126-billion-pound sector has shown a faster recovery from the pandemic compared to the wider economy. Research by SOLT has found that for every pound spent on a theatre ticket, 1.40 pounds is spent in the local area, including in bars and restaurants. Harder to measure is the West End's contribution to Britain's soft power: it attracts tens of thousands of visitors each day to its 39 theatres in the heart of London. Broadway has 41 theatres. Arts minister Chris Bryant told Reuters via email the tax relief would help to ensure "top quality productions" across the country and especially in London. "London is the world's premier destination for theatre-goers, drawing in hundreds of thousands of people every year, and making a significant contribution to the capital's economy," he said. LOCAL VERSUS NATIONAL Data obtained by Reuters via a freedom of information request show London productions received 42 million pounds of 66 million paid in theatre tax relief in the financial year 2021-22. The rest of the southeast received 6 million pounds, and other regions between 1 million and 2 million pounds apiece. But provincial theatres have also benefited. Producer Jamie Wilson said the tax scheme had influenced his decision to trial musical " The Devil Wears Prada" on audiences in Plymouth, southwest England, before its London opening. Leeds Playhouse, whose "In Dreams" premiered in the northern English city then moved to Toronto, said the tax break "has enabled us to continue to co-produce shows ... which otherwise would have been threatened by the current economic pressures". Regional theatres nevertheless "desperately need more money to support the infrastructure", Wilson said. A SOLT report published in July 2024 found 40% of 65 theatre venues surveyed across the UK would become too unsafe to use within five years without a capital injection. With producers saying there are not enough West End venues to meet demand, those theatres could get a boost if more Broadway productions head to Britain. "They won't be able to find a West End theatre, so they will be looking for a regional theatre to open those musicals, which is great ... for the regions," Wilson said. ($1 = 0.7788 pounds)
CBS News
05-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Dallas to host thousands of media at FIFA 2026 World Cup International Broadcast Center
Dallas will host FIFA's International Broadcast Center for the 2026 World Cup. Dallas City Council and FIFA leaders announced the approval at a press conference on Wednesday. The event will be held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. "As someone who believes Dallas is the premier sports city in the world, this announcement reinforces our city's position as a global leader in hosting events," said Councilmember Zarin D. Gracey. "The IBC is a huge milestone that highlights our relentless drive to attract and execute transformative events and opportunities." Gracey acknowledged concerns about investing in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, given that it is slated for redevelopment. However, he emphasized that such investments are essential for keeping the center operational and competitive during the upgrades, which are expected to be completed in 2028. The IBC will serve as a hub for 3,000 to 5,000 international broadcasters and staff. CBS News Texas reported in December that the FIFA-Dallas contract includes a $15 million commitment from the city for upgrades and renovations to the convention center, ensuring it meets the technical requirements of the broadcast center. "It's days like today that really make me love my job. We get a chance to work with so many great leaders and stakeholders who are truly passionate and committed to making Dallas a recognized a global city," City Manager Kimberly Tolbert said Wednesday. "Today, we are not just celebrating an incredible achievement for our city, [but] we are also stepping on to the global stage in a way that truly exemplifies what Dallas is all about. We are bold, we're ambitious, we're exceptional, we know how to collaborate and we deliver unmatched hospitality." Dallas also hosted the IBC during the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
