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STV News
3 hours ago
- Business
- STV News
'No joined-up thinking': Accommodation providers voice concerns as visitor levy nears
Hotel and B&B owners in Edinburgh say there has been 'no joined-up thinking' around tourism planning as the city moves toward introducing its long-debated 5% visitor levy. The charge, which comes into force on July 24 2026, will apply to all paid overnight stays in the Capital, capped at five consecutive nights. City officials estimate it could raise up to £50m a year, to be reinvested back into services and infrastructure used by businesses and visitors. But accommodation providers say that the implementation of the tourist tax remains unclear – with many having to collect the levy on advance bookings from October. STV News B&B owners say there's a 'lack of information' from the council as visitor levy deadline looms Festival season has arrived in Edinburgh – and the city is teeming with tourists. By this time next year, visitors will face the extra cost of a tourism levy on top of accommodation bills. The Council say that cash will be invested in protecting and enhancing Edinburgh's appeal as a place to live in and visit. James Marshall runs the Crioch Guest House in Leith, where he and his wife are the only members of staff. They will need to start taking the fee on advance bookings from October this year – and he says he's none the wiser on how it'll all work. 'It's getting to crunch time,' he told STV News. 'I haven't heard anything. I have no idea how it's going and that's a problem. Even the website hasn't been updated since last year. 'There are a lot of people like ourselves who need to know what's going on, so we can have discussions with our guests and prepare them for what's coming. I want to know more and I don't think that should be difficult – it's not a mass infrastructure project.' STV News Accommodation providers say short-term let rules already added significant costs – and the levy is 'an extra layer' Edinburgh is not the first popular tourist destination to charge such a levy. Rome, Barcelona and Amsterdam are just some of the European hotspots that have brought in a tourist tax over the years. Closer to home, both Manchester and Liverpool brought in smaller-scale levies for hotels and serviced apartments of £2 and £1 overnight in 2023. But Edinburgh's scheme is the first to cover every kind of accommodation, using Scotland-wide legislation that was passed last year. James said the levy adds an 'extra layer' of costs to Edinburgh's tourism sector, following the introduction of short-term let licensing laws, and that businesses 'need a break.' 'We've had lots of certifications – safety, electric, gas testing, water quality, smoke and carbon monoxide. 'All of those add costs, but the guests don't really see that. Now they want to add 5% on top of that. 'Lots of people like ourselves have been going for many years, decided this is too much and they give up and sell up. 'We're still going. We've done the work, we're busy and people are enjoying their stay – but lots of people outside the cities run a much more marginal business. They don't have the year-round custom.' James added: 'There's not been joined-up thinking in tourism. They see it as something to be harvested and they forget about the effects on real people and their livelihoods. 'It's really something that we're already some of the highest taxed tourist accommodations across Europe.' STV News Edinburgh's tourist tax to come into force next summer But the City of Edinburgh Council say the visitor levy scheme has not changed since being published in January and insists all information on the website is up to date. The development of a digital platform which will be used for collections is said to be running to schedule, with training and sign-up pencilled in for spring next year. The first returns and payments on the levy won't be due until October 2026. Council Leader Jane Meagher said: 'With one year to go, we're working closely with industry, government, and VisitScotland to continue our preparations for the levy's launch. 'This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest tens of millions of pounds towards enhancing and sustaining the things that make our city such a great place to visit – and live in – all year round. 'We'd be expecting to raise almost £5m in August from overnight visits to our annual festivals and events like Oasis. Hosting these visitors comes with fantastic economic benefits but it also puts pressure on the city. 'We're also looking forward to making detailed spending decisions at Council Committees – with input from our newly established Visitor Levy Advisory Forum – so that we can get moving quickly in delivering the many benefits Edinburgh's visitor levy will bring.' STV News Federation of Small Businesses' East of Scotland development manager Garry Clark The Federation of Small Businesses say that such a large scheme should have more thorough and detailed guidance – especially with the requirement for charging the levy on advanced bookings looming large. They fear without this the implementation could be a 'disaster'. Development manager Garry Clark said: 'Here we are in the middle of festival season, and there's still no information about what businesses need to do in just nine weeks' time. That's a real concern. 'We need to see a detailed roadmap published by the council, letting businesses know every step along the way – what they need to do, when they need to do it, and the advice they need to give to their customers. So that the levy is paid on time, transferred to the council, and spent appropriately. 'We've seen more and more small businesses that really like the idea of raising money locally and spending it locally to improve the visitor experience. 'We all want to work towards that. But it needs to work for everyone.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Nationwide and Dementia UK team up to offer free dementia support clinics in Ayrshire
The clinics will be visiting Ayrshire next month. Nationwide and Dementia UK are teaming up again to offer free face-to-face clinics in Ayrshire. As part of a Scotland-wide drive to offer specialist support in a safe, comfortable and private space, the clinics are visitng Ayr, Irvine and Kilmarnock next month. Hosted by Dementia UK's Admiral Nurses, the clinics are open to anyone impacted by dementia, offering life-changing support to families and individuals in the area. The clinics will take place over the next month, and appointments can be booked via Dementia UK's website here. The clinics will offer practical and emotional advice on all aspects of dementia – from worries about memory problems, understanding a diagnosis and how the condition can progress to help with financial and legal issues. To book a confidential and in-person appointment with an Admiral Nurse in Scotland visit Dementia UK's website here. The clinics will visit: Irvine, 16 Bridgegate KA12 8BQ – August 20 Ayr, 178 High Street KA7 1RQ – August 21 Kilmarnock, 116 King Street KA1 1PG – August 22 Ruby Guild, Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK, said: 'We're looking forward to returning to Scotland. Nationwide branches offer a safe and private space for people to access specialist support for dementia, and the Fairer Futures partnership is helping us bring face-to-face support to people in a familiar location.' Debbie Crosbie, Chief Executive Officer of Nationwide, said: 'Nationwide wants to help people live their best life possible, for as long as possible. By working with Dementia UK to fund more Admiral Nurses and turning our branches into dementia clinics, we're helping to tackle the country's leading cause of death. 'As a mutual, we work for the good of society as well as our members. We believe this and Nationwide Fairer Futures will change hundreds of thousands of lives for the better.'
STV News
17-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Rural businesses praised for ‘extraordinary' help with wildfires, report says
A report has praised rural businesses for their involvement in tackling the recent spate of large wildfires that have devastated parts of Scotland's countryside. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) published the report on Thursday, which examines the wildfires near Carrbridge and Dava in the Scottish Highlands. The report says 11,827 hectares of moorland were ravaged by the fires in late June. Prepared at the request of Scottish Government officials, the report says extensive resources, manpower and expertise were contributed by at least 33 businesses, including 27 estates. The collective value of specialist firefighting equipment deployed by private land managers is conservatively estimated at £3.1m, with more than 100 employees engaged in the containment effort. PA Media Ross Ewing, director of moorland at SLE, said: 'The Carrbridge and Dava wildfires represent the largest such event in Scotland's history and without the extraordinary intervention of rural businesses, the scale of devastation would have been even greater. 'These land managers brought not only equipment and personnel, but also essential knowledge of the terrain and fire behaviour, much of it honed through generations of safe muirburn practice. Their contribution should be commended, supported and learned from.' The report also says there are gaps in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's (SFRS) wildfire response capability, and makes a series of recommendations. They include investment in a fleet of at least 50 SFRS all-terrain vehicles equipped with fogging units, enhanced authority for SFRS commanders to deploy aerial support quickly, urgent improvements in wildfire training and communications for frontline crews, and the establishment of a Scotland-wide integrated fire management strategy. The report also highlights that the licensing framework for muirburn, as introduced through the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act 2024, could reduce the ability of land managers to conduct fuel load management – a key factor in wildfire prevention. Mr Ewing said: 'If we make it harder for skilled land managers to carry out preventative muirburn, we risk losing the very infrastructure and capability that helped contain these fires. 'Under the recent legislation, there is a 'necessity' test regarding use of muirburn on peatland, and a presumption in favour of other vegetation control methods. 'By amending this to an appropriateness test, it would allow this vital practice of muirburn to be carried out more freely while simultaneously retaining licensed regulatory oversight by government agencies.' Mr Ewing added: 'The Scottish Government must treat these wildfires as a watershed moment. 'That means urgent investment in firefighting infrastructure, better co-ordination between public agencies and rural communities, and a policy environment that empowers land managers, rather than penalising them, for playing their part. 'Without the courage and commitment of those who stepped up during this crisis, the outcome would have been far worse. We owe them our thanks and we owe them action.' Agriculture and connectivity minister Jim Fairlie said: 'We fully understand the concerns over wildfires. Keepers were a massive help to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in bringing the recent wildfires under control, and we know estates used their own equipment to help in those efforts. 'That practical help and experience is greatly appreciated by the Scottish Government, as are the views of the wider stakeholder groups who helped to inform our policy decisions as we progressed the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024. 'During the passage of that Act, we recognised the importance of muirburn in creating firebreaks to help tackle wildfires in some circumstances and the new muirburn licensing scheme allows muirburn for that purpose. 'The Scottish Government is working with SFRS to support full implementation of its wildfire strategy, which will see the continued rollout this year of new equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment. 'I am grateful to SFRS, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, and others for their outstanding efforts to keep property and people safe and for taking the time to meet with me this week to reflect on lessons we can learn for future incidents.' SFRS was approached for comment. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Edinburgh Reporter
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian Leisure goes beyond the pool
West Lothian Leisure took a new approach to mark Drowning Prevention Week this summer, by expanding its efforts beyond the pool. The local authority embedded vital water safety education in all its sporting disciplines – inspired and led by the Learn to Swim programme. The campaign is rooted in the Learn to Swim National Framework, a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water, which helps more than 82,000 children build confidence and skills in the water every week in 167 pools in Scotland. To mark Drowning Prevention Week, West Lothian Leisure took the core principles of Learn to Swim even further. Instead of regular practice, swimming lessons across the trust were transformed into water safety workshops and uniquely, coaches from gymnastics, football, badminton and golf also delivered water safety messages through fun, creative activities. At the heart of the initiative was the 'Superheroes – Call 999!' theme, where children dressed as their favourite superheroes while learning the Water Safety Code. The campaign spanned all ages, from baby and adult swimming classes to sports sessions for young people, ensuring more families across West Lothian received life-saving knowledge. To ensure maximum impact, West Lothian Leisure coaches underwent targeted training and held a dedicated Focus Day. Throughout Drowning Prevention Week, water safety was reinforced through interactive learning, games, and competitions at venues across the region. This comprehensive approach came as latest figures reveal the ongoing risks around Scotland's waters, the National Water Safety Forum reported that tragically in 2024 there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland, highlighting the critical importance of water safety education heading into summer. Lorraine Pollock, Sports Development Manager at West Lothian Leisure, said: 'This initiative is powered by our participation in the Learn to Swim programme. Drowning Prevention Week is the perfect moment to showcase how water safety can reach far beyond swimming lessons. 'We've made it our mission to get every child – whether they're in the pool, on the football pitch or in the gym – engaging with water safety in a way that's fun, memorable, and potentially life-saving. Through our 'Superheroes – Call 999!' theme, we're making safety relatable for families across West Lothian.' West Lothian Leisure is one of 38 delivery partners of the Learn to Swim programme, a Scotland-wide initiative that equips children with skills for life – both in and around the water. John Lunn, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: 'This is a fantastic example of the Learn to Swim ethos in action. West Lothian Leisure's all-sport approach demonstrates innovative thinking and shows how the programme can be adapted to reach even more families and communities with crucial water safety messages.' Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, added: 'We cannot over-emphasise the importance of water safety all year round, but it's particularly relevant over summer months when people are often more likely to be around water. 'So, it's great that Xcite are rolling their water safety sessions out beyond swim lessons and will reach even more people with the vital knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, on and around water.' Drowning Prevention Week, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), is one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland. It aims to equip everyone with the skills and knowledge to stay safe around water. Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
04-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Self-caterers protest against being "scapegoated" by Perth and Kinross Council for housing crisis
A demonstration was held outside Perth and Kinross Council's headquarters as a part of a Scotland-wide campaign The Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers (ASSC) has claimed its industry is being scapegoated by Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) and other governing bodies. On Friday, June 27, the group held a demonstration outside PKC's headquarters as part of a Scotland-wide campaign. The self-catering body believes blaming the self-catering sector for Scotland's housing emergency could spark a "crisis in Scottish tourism" and "risk hammering an £864 million self-catering sector that underpins Scottish tourism". An ASSC spokesperson said self-caterers had "become an easy target for lazy attempts to scapegoat the sector, rather than deal with the real issues at hand; utilising empty properties and building more affordable housing". The association said, in Perth and Kinross, self-catering properties account for 1.7 per cent of housing stock while 5.5 per cent of Perth and Kinross homes lie empty and inactive. The group argued it represents "hard-working legitimate local businesses" who "create jobs, support communities and welcome the world with affordable, flexible and quality stays". ASSC chief executive Fiona Campbell MBE said: "Hard-pressed self-catering operators will be experiencing more than a little sense of déjà vu as their sector is once again scapegoated for a shortage of homes. Recycling the same tired calls for even stricter controls on short-term lets, despite no evidence it will ease housing pressures, is regulatory overkill. They risk hammering an £864 million self-catering sector that underpins Scottish tourism. "Our message is clear: you won't solve a housing crisis by initiating a crisis in Scottish tourism by decimating local businesses underpinning local economies. Attention must shift to the real causes of the housing crisis and stop scapegoating self-catering." Earlier this year, on Wednesday, May 7, PKC's elected members voted by 24 votes to 14 to begin the process of introducing a short-term let planning control area for Highland and North Eastern Perthshire. Previously in August 2024 Perth and Kinross Council's (PKC) Economy and Infrastructure Committee narrowly voted against the proposal by a single vote. The paper put before councillors in May 2025 said research "identified STLs [short-term lets] as a contributor to housing pressure with the greatest impact in northern and eastern parts of Perth and Kinross" and said there was "limited land available to build more housing to address residential and demand from commercial STLs, in northern and eastern parts of Perth and Kinross". By February 2025, Perth and Kinross Council had granted 1699 licences for secondary short-term lets with the majority (49 per cent) in Highland Perthshire ward, 18 per cent in Greater Perth, 15 per cent in both Eastern and Strathearn and three per cent in Kinross, with numbers said to be increasing. A PKC spokesperson said: "Perth and Kinross Council agreed to carry out public consultation on proposals to introduce short-term let control areas in Highland Perthshire and the northern part of the Eastern housing area in May due to an increasing number of proposals for holiday rentals and the shortage of affordable homes in those areas. "The short-term let control area means owners who want to turn dwelling houses into holiday rentals now also need to get planning permission, as was already required for people who want to turn flats into short-term lets. It would not impact existing holiday rental properties. "The new rules will allow the public and elected members to have a greater say on whether they think the proposal is appropriate in those areas with the highest concentration of holiday rentals by considering the likely noise, impact on public services and amenities and effect on the overall character of a neighbourhood. "If the council decides to proceed with a short-term let control area it will need to be approved by the Scottish Government. "The higher concentration of holiday lets and second homes in these areas can reduce the availability of long-term rental housing and inflate property prices, making it harder for local residents to find homes. While we have not formally declared a housing emergency, we have developed a comprehensive action plan to address the housing pressures in Perth and Kinross. The core issue lies in the overall shortage of housing." The council said it was taking a number of steps to bring vacant homes back into use as well as building new affordable housing. The council spokesperson added: "To tackle this, the council has taken several proactive steps such as purchasing 134 properties from the open market, delivered 107 new-build homes in partnership with developers and housing associations, brought 23 long-term empty properties back into use and implemented a range of measures aimed at preventing homelessness wherever possible. "To further address the problem of empty homes, the council has increased council tax on second homes and is working closely with private landlords and homeowners to return vacant properties to active use."
