Title

First coastal tourist tax on hold

The first so-called coastal tourist tax in the UK has been put on hold following opposition from Dorset hoteliers.

Bournemouth beach

Bournemouth beach

The first so-called coastal tourist tax in the UK has been put on hold following opposition from Dorset hoteliers.

Guests at around 70 large hotels were to be charged an extra £2 per room per night, with the levy expected to generate around £12m to support the region's tourism over five years.

A ballot of hoteliers in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole approved the levy in May.

However, more than 40 hotels have lodged an appeal with the Government over how the ballot was conducted.

The Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID) said it would postpone its introduction until the autumn, pending the appeal.

Chief executive of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, Graham Farrant, said: ‘We continue to work alongside our ABID accommodation providers in BCP as they develop the introduction of a levy and the council supports the ABID board in its efforts to enhance the destination's tourism offering.'

Fixing the Broken Promise: The North East and the SEND Crisis

By Nick Kemp | 28 August 2025

Nick Kemp says SEND services are in crisis, especially in the North East. He believes a regional compact can drive urgent reform through early support, share...

Scottish care kids failing to attend school

By Neil Merrick | 27 August 2025

An increasing proportion of children in local authority care in Scotland are failing to attend school.

Reorganisation 'gives opportunity to embed Procurement Act'

By Emily Twinch | 25 July 2025

Councils needs to have a ‘laser-like’ focus on procurement and should use reorganisation to embed the Procurement Act, a trade body has urged.

Place is dead, long live Place!

By Stephen Moir | 30 June 2025

It’s time to embrace the opportunity of reform to really put place to the forefront of all that we do, argues Dr Stephen Moir.

Popular articles by William Eichler