BATH LIFE AWARDS Q&A The Little Theatre on what

BATH LIFE AWARDS 2020

General manager Mason Pollock celebrates THE LITTLE THEATRE'S Award

You won! Congratulations! Talk us through the night...

hank yo e were really hono red to have won and really didn’t expect it in s ch a strong category. he wards evening was an incredible event and the b and excitement was palpable throughout the whole evening. The nerves only kicked in when it came to our category, and it suddenly hits you that we could actually win this, then when our name was announced it’s all st a bl r.

Tell us about life at The Little over the years.

e’ve been open as a cinema since , having originally opened as a community theatre, and we are still owned by the same family all these years later. Over the years, there have been many changes including the addition of a second screen in the 80s, but we have still retained the vintage vibe and charm that o r ath audience love so much.

The cinema has had its own starring role on fi lm too... es e’ve made a brief appearance on the big screen ourselves when Wes nderson visited the cinema d ring a visit to ath and fell in love with the ittle and decided we’d fi t perfectly into a scene in Fantastic Mr. Fox, which we continue to screen every so often st to show o o r big screen deb t – and of co rse es s fantastic work.

What do you think it is about The Little that helped you secure your Bath Life Award?

hat sets s apart from other cinemas in the area is the sense of community and the long r nning relationship

ARTS WINNER

we have with o r patrons. e hold a special place in a lot of ath residents’ hearts from past and present, and always go above and beyond to make the cinema experience that bit more special for o r c stomers.

What are some of your special screenings you do? These range from our Kids Club on Saturday mornings where we have arts, crafts, games and activities for 30 min tes before the fi lm, to o r pop lar Silver Screen screenings on Tuesdays and h rsdays for retired people. hese screenings are more than st watching a fi lm. hey are abo t retired people sing o r cinema as a meeting place, to see friends, to have a natter over a c p of tea, eat all of our free biscuits (we don’t mind!) and then, of co rse, en oy the fi lm.

What does winning the Award mean to The Little?

There was a real buzz within the team after we won the ward. t cemented the achievements that we have made over the past years, and was tr ly rewarding to be honoured for the hard work and dedication we p t in each day to be more than st a cinema.

Do you collaborate with other local businesses?

e have many partnerships set p within the city of ath to s pport various initiatives and our on-going programme of Dementia riendly, tism riendly, Silver Screen and

“I LIVE AND BREATHE THIS COMPANY VISION”

The Little's Benoit Cuvier and, left, Mason Pollock at last year's Awards ceremony

Hard of Hearing screenings with care homes, trusts, charities, schools and colleges. Our dog-friendly screenings allow s to reg larly link p with local pet services, pet shops and vets to o er competitions and an experience for our guests and their dogs that is more than st coming to watch a fi lm. e promote and raise money for ath Cats and Dogs Home and local guide dog charities at these events.

And you work with other Bath cultural institutions as well? e worked with the ane sten Centre for promotion of the fi lm Emma earlier last year St dio D and The Edge for our Exhibition on Screen fi lms ath Spa niversity for their end of year fi lm showcases, andalyns ar for o r screenings ictoria rt allery for a recent exhibition and fi lm package and many, many more.

Is there someone at work that you admire and try learn from?

t’s got to be Clare inns, o r managing director, who started out as a pro ectionist and sher at a cinema in ondon and worked her way p from there. passionate cinephile who is h gely respected within the ind stry, she has progressed her career through grit and determination. What’s The Little's philosophy?

“Our cinemas are at the heart of neighbourhoods. They are distinctive buildings that blend seamlessly into the fabric of their environment with excellent and original design throughout. These are Cathedrals to Cinema!

O r fi lm programme is a broad and a curated range of quality mainstream, indie, family, foreignlang age and doc mentary fi lms. Through our various strands we also champion classic and contemporary, independent thinking fi lms, providing ality cinema experience to a diverse and inclusive audience.

We will always try new things and nexpected things, engaging with o r a dience as partners and as friends from all age backgro nds, we are yo r local international cinema.”

What does it mean to you, as manager? live and breathe this company vision and it inspires me in everything do at the ittle heatre. t’s the bedrock of any pro ect ndertake, and the foc s of all the work we do here.

For more: The Little Theatre, St Michael’s Place, Bath; www.picturehouses.com

“BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE AWARDS”

Nominations are now open

Imagine the boost to your business of being a finalist at the Bath Life Awards – let alone a winner! It’s free to enter and nominations are open now

After the past twelve months, we can all do with buoying up – business owners perhaps more than almost anyone. As well as the feelgood factor, finalists of the Bath Life wards en oy marketing benefits.

We know it’s been tough for many – horribly so for some – so we have a special part of the nomination form where you can explain how you have responded to the pandemic, for your business, for your team and for your community.

Bath companies are planning their strategies to develop b siness in to make s re they benefit from the upturn as it emerges in the coming weeks. MediaClash events and brand manager Annie Miekus explains why entering this year can provide you that much-needed boost:

“The Bath Life wards have massive profile as the city’s most prestigious and stylish business event of the year – and it’s you, the wonderful businesses of Bath who are right at the heart of it. When we all come together, value and enjoyment is created for everyone. e nderstand how di c lt times have been: we’re all in the same storm if not the same boats. So our judges will be looking for the smart and positive ways that you’ve responded.

“Just imagine what winning an Award could do for your business…”

The Awards are backed by extensive marketing over several months: major email campaigns; at Bath Life’s other events like our Business Clubs; via a bespoke website; through all social media channels; and of course, here in Bath Life. The extra time before the Awards this year means yet more marketing benefits for all.

Several category sponsorships are currently under discussion. A limited number of Silver Sponsorships will be available closer to the event. For more: www.bathlifeawards.co.uk @BathLifeAwards

SPONSORSHIPS For remaining options, please contact annie.kelly@ mediaclash.co.uk or pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk NOMINATIONS Open via website www.bathlifeawards.co.uk TICKETS BLA: finalists and sponsors only, updates when on sale. Limited number of Silver Sponsorships including table. Please note: we sell out every year with many on the waiting list. AWARDS The uberglam Bath Life Awards will be held at Bath Assembly Rooms on 9 September 2021. Nothing beats being there… SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter for all updates.

Sponsors gain close association with the most prestigious event in Bath

Winning is glee! Just ask Number Three…

Businesses that win gain all the benefits that their great achievement deserves – including collecting that uberglamorous Award trophy

TESTIMONIAL

“I’m not afraid to admit shedding a tear when Eddie the hairdresser won the Civic Award, along with the Southside Project and Bath City Farm winning the Charity Award – it makes a huge di erence to people to get recognition for the incredible work they do and you provide them with the platform to share their story.” Mel Taylor Running High

Are big changes afoot for capital gains tax?

Signifi cant changes to capital gains tax could be in the pipeline this spring, following a report from the Offi ce for Tax Simplifi cation (OTS). PEARSON MAY explains...

Chancellor Rishi Sunak commissioned the report back in July 2020, asking the OTS to consider the scope of the tax and the rates which apply, as well as the reliefs, exemptions and allowances. The Chancellor is looking for ways to claw back a £210 billion hole in public fi nances after loosening the purse strings to protect jobs and businesses amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The Chancellor is, however, under no obligation to accept the OTS recommendations.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) in the UK is currently charged at 10 per cent and 20 per cent for most taxable assets, or 18 per cent and 28 per cent for residential property that is liable to CGT e.g. second homes/rental properties etc.

CGT raised more than £9.5bn for the Treasury in 2018/19, and is on course to fetch roughly the same fi gure in 2019/20, but the OTS suggested ways that could triple the number of people liable for the tax. Their suggestions included the following:

ALIGN CGT WITH INCOME TAX RATES

The current CGT rates are lower than the 2020/21 income tax rates around the UK. Income tax in England, Northern Ireland and Wales is charged at rates of 20, 40 and 45 per cent, with different rates and bands applied in Scotland.

“This disparity is one of the main sources of complexity”, the report found, often “distorting business and family decision-making and creating a tax incentive for people to recharacterise income and capital gains”. The OTS suggested that aligning CGT rates with income tax rates could raise an estimated £14bn a year for the Treasury, with higher and additional-rate taxpayers footing most of the bill.

More than 275,000 people paid CGT in 2018/19, with 40 per cent of those payments coming from wealthy individuals who made gains of £5 million or more.

Jacqui Bowden, a partner at Pearson May CUTTING THE TAX-FREE ALLOWANCE

The report also recommended reducing the CGT annual exemption – currently set at £12,300 for 2020/21 – and replacing it so that it only covers asset price increases that are equivalent to inflation.

This threshold is expected to increase to £12,500 for 2021/22 as things stand, but a reduction from next year’s fi gure to £12,000 is estimated to affect around 50,000 taxpayers who reported net gains close to the threshold and effectively used up the allowance.

The OTS said lowering this allowance to £5,000 would double the amount of people who pay CGT, while reducing it to £1,000 would almost treble the number of individuals liable to CGT. Should the Chancellor drastically lower the annual exemption, many more people would have to fi le annual personal tax returns through self-assessment.

CAPITAL TRANSFERS

The report also highlighted a “practical overlap” between CGT and Inheritance Tax – “as most of the assets liable for capital gains tax can also attract inheritance tax”. For example, if someone inherits a £300,000 investment portfolio which was acquired by the deceased for £90,000, the £210,000 gain is extinguished on death and the £300,000 figure used as the beneficiary’s base value if they then go on to sell the portfolio.

The report urged the Treasury to remove this capital gains ‘uplift’ on death and instead treat the inherited assets at the historic base cost of the asset. STEPS TO CONSIDER NOW

Each individual’s circumstances will be different and, as always, specific advice is essential. It could well be worth considering using the annual exemption before 5 April 2021, where you have any assets liable to CGT and have not already used your exemption.

Those with assets that would trigger a Capital Gain on any sale and could increase in value over the coming years may want to consider passing such assets to the next generation or other family members but that in itself can often trigger a CGT charge. The use of Trusts could be considered in such situations, which can defer such CGT charges but there are other considerations to be made and Inheritance Tax would also need to be considered.

It would be unwise to act solely on policy conjecture but due to the financial effects of the virus and the Spring budget being confirmed for 3 March 2021, we know tax changes are afoot. It is therefore worthwhile to review any assets, in light of what will inevitably be a harsher tax environment in the future.

The above is for general guidance only and no action should be taken without obtaining specific advice.

“EACH INDIVIDUAL’S CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE DIFFERENT AND, AS ALWAYS, SPECIFIC ADVICE IS ESSENTIAL”

Jacqui Bowden BSc (Hons) ACA Pearson May Chartered Accountants & Chartered Tax Advisers Bath, Chippenham and Trowbridge

37 Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DA 01225 460491; mail@pearsonmay.co.uk www.pearsonmay.co.uk

PROPERTY

PLACES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

BELOW: Alistair Heather is the head of the new Strutt & Parker Bath offi ce

Brock Street townhouse is currently being marketed by Strutt & Parker with a guide price of £2.85million

IN RESIDENCE

Strutt & Parker has appointed ALISTAIR HEATHER as the new head of its Bath operation to coincide with the news that the business has opened an offi ce in the city

Alistair eather la nches the ath o ce in North Parade ildings with aro nd years’ experience in the ind stry, having spent st nder years with Str tt Parker as a director and co fo nder of the Notting ill o ce. n Notting ill, listair helped grow the b siness from the gro nd p into one of the best performing o ces in the co ntry. Prior to oining Str tt Parker, listair spent fo r years at amptons nternational as a senior negotiator and before that he started his career at oxtons. t the ath o ce, listair will work alongside ames acken ie, senior director and head of the national co ntry ho se department, and ndrew Cronan, national co ntry ho se department, who both reside in ath, and work with clients across the market. listair, who moved to ath with his family eight months ago, says, s a resident, it’s very clear to see why living in the city is so appealing to many di erent types of people s ch as families looking for r ral life b t with access to amenities. s have experienced, it’s even perfect for those who want to comm te into ondon.

For more: www.struttandparker.com