Local business owners have reacted to proposals for a new tourist tax in one borough of London. The UK’s capital is one of the most popular visitor destinations in the world, and go-to visitor attractions in the city include things like Westminster, Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Borough Market. However, an area outside of the centre of the city is proposing a new tourist tax, but not everyone thinks it’s a good idea.
The tourist tax has been proposed by the council in Lambeth, South London, which is home to areas like Brixton and Clapham, which are known for their restaurants, markets and nightlife. A tourist tax would mean that visitors staying overnight in hotels or other visitor accommodations would pay an additional charge. It has been proposed as a way of helping with the upkeep of local services and amenities for residents, including street cleaning and upgrades to local infrastructure.
Several attractions are located within the bounds of the borough of Lambeth, including the Southbank Centre and the London Eye. Similar tourist taxes have been introduced in other UK cities, including Manchester and Liverpool. No borough in London currently has a tourist tax, although the idea has been floated.
Lambeth Labour said in a petition: “The revenue from what Lambeth Labour calls the ‘Love Lambeth Levy’ could be allocated towards public realm improvements, such as street cleaning and general upkeep and maintenance of the borough and promote Lambeth as a leading destination to visit and enjoy.”
However, some local business owners are concerned about such a proposal. One of them told The Metro: “It’s a terrible idea for Brixton as we already have issues with footfall. Taxing people on top of that, in this economy, is not going to help. We don’t need any more disincentives to come in the area and stay. We just need ways of encouraging people and not adding an extra barrier to it.”
Founder of Guzzl in Brixton Village, Andrew Murray-Watson, said: “I’m not opposed to the idea, but it has to be properly managed and reinvested back into the community or the benefit of residents and tourists. I think it would probably be a deterrent for people when they’re choosing where to stay in London as a whole.”
Another business owner in Brixton shared concerns over the idea. Managing Director of SatayBar, Elly Foster, said: “Local independent businesses in one of the most expensive capitals in the world needs more help than it gets. Taxing people is not going to help us survive.
“As an independent business for a long time, my rent keeps going up. My bills keep going up. But my turnover doesn’t.”
Jack Lander from the pizza chain Pizzarova said that he didn’t understand how it would work if tourists weren’t taxed for staying in Westminster, but they would be if they were staying in Brixton.