Overnight Levy

Last week, the Government announced plans to give Mayors in cities across England the power to implement a levy on overnight trips. Under the plans, the levy could apply to visitors at accommodation providers including hotels, holiday lets, bed and breakfasts, and guesthouses, with the stated intention of ‘raising funds to support local projects that improve communities and enhance tourists’ experiences’.  

We have been speaking with our hotelier members and the Westminster BIDs collective, which represents nearly 200 levy-paying hotels, to consider the proposal for the Mayor to implement the Overnight Levy in the Capital.  We share the concerns of the hospitality industry as to the impact this will have on competitiveness for both domestic and international trade – which is already challenged by higher costs, taxes and compounded by a lack of relief on duty free shopping.    

If this proposal moves forward, it is vital that the hospitality industry and BIDs have a voice to work with the Mayor on the design of the levy to ensure it is not detrimental to growth and that spend clearly benefits the hospitality sector.   

A consultation has been launched seeking views on the design of the new power including how a levy should be calculated and collected, and how generated revenues should be used. The consultation Overnight Levy on is available here and closes on 18 February. BakerStreetQ and Westminster BIDs will be responding and we would welcome your input to our response.  Please email info@bakerstreetq.co.uk with your input or to arrange a call. 

Read the Government’s announcement here.

Read more about the plans here.

Respond to the consultation here.