Merlin Entertainments chief executive Nick Varney has criticised the UK minimum wage for being a universal figure applied across the country.
In an interview with the Financial Times newspaper, the 51-year-old businessman called for a tiered approach recognising varying costs of living.
He said: “If there was ever a case where one size does not fit all, it’s the national minimum wage.
“To apply the London minimum wage to people working in Blackpool is just ridiculous.”
The article stated that Varney had described the forthcoming rise in the minimum wage to £6.50 as being “bearable” for his company.
However he said that those politicians which have been calling for the rate to be £7 needed to consider the wider impact of such a rise.
“There will be jobs lost among 16 to 24-year-olds. The practical result is that people will employ fewer people,” he claimed.