S2.03 Visitor Levy UK: What the Tourist Tax Means for Hotels & Business Costs

S2.03 Visitor Levy UK: What the Tourist Tax Means for Hotels & Business Costs

Julie and Henry unpack the proposed Visitor Levy (Tourist Tax UK) and what it could really mean for businesses, hotels, and local economies. Often framed as “just £2 a night,” we go beyond the headlines to explore the true cost of the visitor levy, from administrative burden and compliance risks to its wider impact on pricing, demand, and competitiveness. Is this a smart way to fund local areas, or a policy that could unintentionally hit the very businesses it relies on? We also examine how the levy is being rolled out across the UK, with Scotland already moving ahead and England now consulting on its own model. What can we learn from international examples, and how might this reshape the visitor economy? Plus: the growing pressure on hotels, the risk of reduced international demand, and why some cities are pushing forward, while others hesitate. 🔍 Topics covered: * What is the Visitor Levy (Tourist Tax UK)? * The real cost to hotels and businesses * Admin burden: who actually pays? * Impact on tourism demand and pricing * Lessons from Scotland, Europe, and beyond * What this means for BIDs and local economies 📣 Featuring: practical insights, real industry data, and honest discussion for BID leaders, councils, hospitality operators, and placemakers navigating change. 👉 For more insights and support on local economies, BIDs and placemaking, visit: https://getvicinity.com/ [https://getvicinity.com/]

S2.02 Business Rates Cliff Edge and the Role of BIDs (Part 2)

In this second and final part of our deep dive, Julie and Henry move from explanation to reality, unpacking what the 2026 business rates revaluation actually means on the ground for BIDs, councils and local economies. With many areas expecting value increases of 10–15%, the headline might suggest growth, but the real story is more complex. As costs rise across the board, we explore the growing gap between potential income on paper and income you can actually collect, and why business survival is quickly becoming a genuine risk. From missed levy income and data accuracy to the impact of new businesses entering the rating list, this episode highlights the operational pressures BIDs are facing. We also look at how the role of BIDs may be shifting: as well as pure delivery, necessary advocacy, collective voice, and supporting businesses through an increasingly fragile trading environment. Looking ahead, we ask whether this revaluation moment could reshape how BIDs position themselves, and what leaders should be prioritising right now as April 2026 approaches.  🔎 Topics covered: -Why levy increases don’t necessarily mean financial security  -Data accuracy, missing businesses, and hidden income risks  -Business survival, and changing risk registers  -The shift towards a greater role in advocacy and collective voice  -What BID leaders should prioritise as April approaches.   📣 Featuring: practical insights, real-world examples, and candid reflections for BID leaders, councils and placemakers navigating a more volatile landscape.

S2.01 Business Rates & the 2026 Revaluation: Who’s Feeling the Pain? (Part 1)

In this first of a two-part deep dive, Julie and Henry explore what the 2026 business rates revaluation really means for high street businesses. From rateable value hikes hitting pubs, shops and hotels - to transitional reliefs and tiered multipliers - we unpack the shifting tax burden and ask: is this the start of a fairer system, or just pain deferred? We also look at the early impacts for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs): are levies going up or down, and what happens when previously exempt small businesses are pulled into scope? Plus: HOLBA’s formal challenge to the government, the hospitality sector’s #TaxedOut [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/taxedout] campaign, and why some argue Labour’s promised reform has turned into fine-tuning. 🔍 Topics covered: * RV changes by sector and who’s hit hardest * New multipliers and reliefs explained * How BID income is being affected * Political pushback: HOLBA, fairness, and transitional optics 📣 Featuring: practical prompts, sector data, and straight-talking insights for BID leaders, councils and placemakers.

13. Season finale (Part 3): The Future of BIDs – Who Speaks for the Industry?

We end Podcast in Person with the big one: Who is the voice of the BID industry? In this thought-provoking finale, Julie and Henry tackle the question of leadership, representation, and what’s next for the UK’s BID movement. From AI and e-voting to levy fatigue and the future of governance, it’s a fast-paced, and a hopeful close to Season One. 🎯 Includes quickfire predictions, open-mic reflections, and a glimpse at what Season Two could bring. #BIDs #Leadership #FutureOfWork #PlaceManagement #DigitalDemocracy #VicinityAndBeyond

07. ABIDs – Mission Drift or Natural Evolution?

With talk of tourist taxes heating up in the UK, Vicinity and Beyond dives into one of the most important debates in the place management and visitor economy world: Are Accommodation BIDs (ABIDs) a natural step forward—or a step too far? In this episode, we explore: 🏨 Where ABIDs came from – how Manchester pioneered the UK model  💰 How ABIDs differ from traditional BIDs – rateable value levies vs. per-night visitor charges 🗳 Why some ABID ballots fail (or fail to get started) – lessons from Bournemouth, Cambridge, and Chester ⚖️ Tourist taxes vs. ABIDs – a deep dive into the pros, cons, and international comparisons 📈 What the evidence says – do tourist levies really harm tourism? 🔮 What’s next – will ABIDs expand, fade, or coexist with national tourist taxes? With new models emerging and tourist tax legislation on the horizon, this episode is packed with insights to help you make sense of a fast-changing landscape. 🗣 BID Managers, DMO leaders, local authorities: Share this episode with colleagues and board members to spark strategic discussions about the future of tourism funding. 🎧 Listen now on Vicinity and Beyond via YouTube or your favourite podcast platform. #BIDs #ABIDs #TouristTax #Placemaking #TourismFunding #VicinityAndBeyond #DestinationMarketing #UKBIDs #LocalGovernment #VisitorEconomy