Summer holidays: Juggling, budgeting and imagination

For children, the school summer holidays represent eight weeks of adventure, freedom and fun.

But for their parents, it's an exercise in juggling childcare, budgeting for days out and using their imagination to prevent the inevitable cries of "I'm bored".

Earlier this year, the UK government announced Great British Summer Savings, a short-term initiative that has seen the reduction in VAT on child-focused activities during the summer months.

That means in July and August the taxes charged on children's meals, arts and other family attractions have been reduced from 20% to 5%.

But two weeks into the initiative, how is it working out?

In County Down, Mountpanther Farm Park sits on the grounds of a former stately home between Clough and Dundrum.

It is home to a wide array of animals including deer, lemurs, alpacas and peacocks as well as rare breeds of horses, goats and pigs.

Manager Madison Rafferty says the VAT reduction has made a big difference.

"I'd say during the week last year it would have been up to 100 [visitors] a day, but this year it's 200-300 with that discount.

"So it really has helped people get out and about."

The attraction, which opened in 2017, currently employs 50 people. They've passed on the full 15% discount to customers.

Among those visiting is the Wilson family from Dromore.

Mum Roisin said: "We were in Dublin zoo yesterday and that's obviously quite an expensive trip.

"Today we've gone closer to home and I don't think it's been too bad at all.

"We've got good value for money. We've brought a picnic and it's definitely been one of the more reasonably priced days we could go out for."

A few miles down the road in Newcastle, Michael Hazzard has been running Coco's Adventure Playground since 1992.

The indoor attraction currently employs 25 people. Michael said the initiative had been beneficial but he would like to see it extended into the darker, colder months.

"Most people don't realise when they visit somewhere that 20% of the cost goes back to the government."

"Normally summertime is very busy for us. But with the weather being so good - beach weather - it is a bit quieter but we are still busy enough.

"I don't know if that is possible for them to keep it at 5%, but it would be great for the public to have that. It'd be great if they could even meet in the middle."

Paula McMahon and her wider family from Omagh are visiting Newcastle for four nights. She says any price cuts are much welcomed.

"There's around 20 of us here," she said.

"I'd noticed that days out had got more expensive. Everything is a little more expensive. Not the amusements but food and everything you go to do for days away.

"So cutting the VAT obviously helps."

Further up the coast from Newcastle, Rory Martin runs Strangford Lough Activity Centre in Killinchy.

He was disappointed to learn that his business falls outside the VAT reduction scheme.

"We offer things like paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, lasertag – all outdoor sports activities. But they've stated that businesses like us don't qualify.

"In our summer schemes we have a couple of hundred children and then lots of families doing activities over the summer months.

"So obviously we'd like to see a scheme like this broadened out."

The government scheme runs until 1 September.