Pictured above: (l-r) Simon Atkins (Clement Keys), Dorothy
Wilson (mac) and Fleur Holden (Clement Keys)
The newly refurbished mac celebrated an enthusiastic response to
its £15m redevelopment when nearly 30,000 people attended the
recent opening weekend celebrations.
Prior to the opening, Chartered accountants Clement Keys held
their own celebrations having helped the Centre reclaim
£221,000 from HM Revenue and Customs.
Clement Keys partner Simon Atkins says: "We have advised mac for
10 years and in that time we have seen the redevelopment project
take shape from an initial idea to an exciting re-opening weekend.
It is fantastic to see everybody's efforts, particularly in
fundraising, come to fruition. Throughout the closed period we have
worked with mac to review their accounting systems and structures
and we were able to highlight areas for beneficial changes.
"At the same time, our VAT specialist highlighted the fact that
a European Court of Justice Appeal ruling relating to the issue of
VAT and cultural exemption would apply to mac and set about
submitting a claim for repayment."
The upshot of the European Court of Justice ruling was that
European law had not been correctly implemented in UK legislation.
Admission charges to live performances had been subject to VAT at
the standard rate when, in fact, they should have been exempt from
VAT. Subsequent changes to the UK's VAT legislation as a result of
this ruling brought welcome news for many high profile arts groups
in and around Birmingham, including mac.
"During the closure we had the opportunity to reassess how we
operate and to put in place new systems and procedures that will
enable us to maximise resources and secure cost savings and
efficiencies across all areas of our activities," says Dorothy
Wilson, Artistic Director and Chief Executive at mac.
"Clement Keys has provided ongoing support throughout the
over-haul of our systems and the VAT repayment will help support
our ongoing programmes, including exhibitions such as "Plug in"
which explores the changing face of Birmingham by bringing together
selected artefacts, new artist commissions, documentary and
photography."
Plug-in runs until 30 August 2010.