Brexit is a drag on growth, says Burberry chair, as he attacks ‘own goal’ on VAT

The Guardian Alex Lawson 04.24.23 The chair of Burberry has called Brexit a “drag on growth” and asked Rishi Sunak to reverse a decision to remove tax-free shopping for tourists that has left Britain nursing the “weakest” Covid recovery among its big markets. Gerry Murphy, the chair of the £10bn trench coats to handbags fashion house, told the prime minister that a decision to … Read More

DAILY MAIL COMMENT: A perverse tax that is stunting UK growth

04.25.23 There are few issues on which Labour, the Liberal Democrats and nearly all Conservatives are in passionate unison. The folly of axing VAT-free shopping for tourists is one.Such disparate political figures as ex-PM Liz Truss, London mayor Sadiq Khan and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey are backing the Mail’s campaign to reverse this perverse and damaging decision. And at a testy … Read More

Luxury leather brand Ettinger says tourist tax discourages foreign visitors from splurging cash in Britain

Mail Emily Hawkins 04.24.23 Many tourists visiting the UK for the Coronation will be deterred from splashing out due to a lack of VAT-free shopping, the boss of luxury brand Ettinger has warned. Ettinger has been producing leather products such as wallets, briefcases and passport holders since Gerry Ettinger founded the business in 1934. Now his son Robert is worried that visitors … Read More

MPs from all parties call for tourist tax to be axed as Liz Truss and Sadiq Khan claim the fee puts Britain at a ‘competitive disadvantage’ with rest of Europe

Mail 04.24.23 A cross-party group of politicians joined forces tonight to back the Mail’s campaign to bring back tax-free shopping for tourists. Former prime minister Liz Truss led a growing clamour of calls from MPs demanding ministers restore the VAT refund for visitors to boost economic growth. She was joined by Labour’s London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who said … Read More

Tourist spending down by third as wealthy overseas visitors shun UK over shopping tax imposed by Rishi Sunak when he was Chancellor

Mail Emily Hawkins 03.11.23 Italy and Spain are much closer to seeing a return to 2019 levels of tourist spending, while in France they are already spending more. Paul Barnes, head of the Association of International Retail (AIR), said other cities would be ‘rubbing their hands with glee’ over the figures. American and Middle Eastern tourists in particular have returned to rival cities … Read More

London fears losing luxury shoppers to Paris and Milan

Reuters James Davey and Sarah Young 03.15.23 London’s luxury retailers fear the city is losing its pull as a shopping destination, with tourists from the United States, China and the Gulf flocking instead to Paris and Milan where tax breaks still offer a way to cut the cost of their purchases. With finance minister Jeremy Hunt set to present the government’s budget … Read More

Spring Budget Does Not Meet London Business Expectations

London Chamber 03.15.23 The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), in response to the Spring Budget, declared that it fell short of delivering optimum value and support for London businesses. With the cost of living crisis, this year’s Budget was a lost opportunity in providing stronger support on energy bills to London’s small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). To … Read More

BUSINESSLDN COMMENTS ON THE SPRING BUDGET 2023

BusinessLDN 03.14.23 “It is disappointing that the Government has missed an opportunity to launch an independent review of the benefits of VAT-free shopping – a measure that would more than pay for itself by attracting high spending tourists to the UK and support 78,000 jobs across the country.” To read more, please click here

Sunday trading laws must be scrapped in the West End

Evening Standard Dee Corsi 03.17.23 Shopping destinations in New York, Dubai, Milan and Madrid, all enjoy longer trading hours on a Sunday. Sunday trading laws have also been relaxed in certain Paris tourist hotspots. The West End is defined as an International Centre in the Mayor’s London Plan. This status should be more than just a geographical boundary, it should also come with planning and licensing benefits … Read More