Popular short lets location may be hit by new tax...

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30 May 2023

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Popular short lets location may be hit by new tax

One of the country’s most popular destinations for both visitors and short let accommodation is likely to be hit with a new tax.

St Ives in Cornwall has a permanent population of just 11,500 but plays host to around 200,000 overnight visitors over the course of each summer, with many of them staying in short let accommodation advertised on Airbnb and similar platforms. In addition there are over 500,000 day visitors.

Johnnie Wells, the mayor, has told BBC Spotlight that it’s becoming “harder and harder” for the town to maintain facilities for tourists. It already charges visitors for using public toilets - locals have a smart card system allowing them to use the loos for free.

Now Wells wants a local visitor tax which he claims would bring “massive benefit to the town” and would help people to feel like they were contributing to the local area. Funds raised would be spent on cleaning beaches, recycling facilities or maintaining essential services.

Since the start of last month anyone who stays in a city centre hotel or holiday apartment in Manchester must pay £1 per night, per room under the UK’s visit visitor tax scheme.

Wells says he’s in discussions with lettings platforms and local hoteliers to introduce something similar in St Ives.