Furious locals blame new ‘vacationer tax’ for UK theme park closure as th | UK | News | EUROtoday

Furious locals have blamed a brand new “tourist tax” for the closure of an iconic UK theme park and are involved extra venues can be pressured to close. The Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire, west Wales, closed its doorways for good on Tuesday final week.

Its homeowners say the Government’s nationwide insurance coverage, minimal wage hikes, and spiralling power prices are in charge. But locals consider a looming “tourist tax” proposed by the Welsh Government may very well be the loss of life knell for native tourism.

The commerce-crushing levy, which may come into power from 2027, will see guests slogged £1.25 an evening once they keep in a lodge, B&B or self-catered lodging. Those staying at hostels and campsites should pay 75p per evening.

Cardiff says the cash raised will fund providers in tourism hotspots, however critics, together with locals in Pembrokeshire, consider it is going to scare guests off. Kevin Hart, who has been working a restaurant and caravan website a stone’s throw away from Oakwood for the previous 18 years, advised the Sun Online he’s “dreading” the brand new tax.

Kevin, 66, and his spouse, Debbie, run The Snooty Fox and had deliberate to promote up and retire in a couple of years. But their dream has fallen to items. Kevin mentioned: “How am I going to be able to sell up and retire now when the Welsh and national governments are doing their level best to destroy what we’ve spent 18 years building up?

“I make use of 10 folks right here and I’m already having to seek out more money to pay for the rises in nationwide insurance coverage and minimal wage, to not point out inflation and power prices going by the roof. And now the Welsh authorities expects folks coming right here to pay a tourism tax.”

The business owner is certain the pending tourism tax was a factor in Oakwood’s decision to close. He said: “The closure goes to hit my enterprise very laborious as a result of most people staying right here spend a day or two there.

“They specifically come to the Snooty Fox because it’s within walking distance of Oakwood. They can have an adventure there, then grab a decent meal here, have a drink and get a good night’s sleep. But I’m really worried we’ll lose a lot of custom now the place has closed for good.

“There’s loads of different issues to see and do round right here, however there’s no denying Oakwood was an enormous attraction for folks stying with us

“All we can do now is just keep plodding on and hope the Welsh government drops its ridiculous tourism tax idea.”

Jenny, an area resident, mentioned Oakwood’s demise was “the tip of the iceberg” for the tourism and hospitality sector in Wales. She mentioned the levy was “yet another tax” and fears it is going to drive guests away from Pembrokeshire. She mentioned: “[It comes] at a time when everyone’s already feeling the squeeze caused by every other tax we pay, on top of inflation, soaring energy costs and, if you’re an employer, extra national insurance and another rise in the minimum wage. Oakwood going is the tip of the iceberg, I fear. In the years ahead, there’ll be nothing left here.”

The proposed tax can be charged per particular person per evening and also will apply to youngsters. Welsh Conservatives have slammed the plan and say it is going to danger jobs within the vacationer trade, which employs 159,000 folks – roughly 12per cent of the nation’s workforce.

To challenge the tax, the Welsh Parliament must approve new laws. A draft was revealed final Monday.

If handed, officers consider the tax may very well be in play by April 2027, on the earliest. Councils can even select to cost extra sooner or later in the event that they perform a public session and provides 12 months’ discover. Not all native authorities are anticipated to introduce the extent, which may elevate £33m a yr.

The levy will not be issued on stays over 31 nights or on folks pressured into non permanent lodging or tough sleepers staying in homeless hostels. The Wales Tourism Alliance mentioned the choice by Oakwood’s Spain-based homeowners Aspro to shut its operation down was “disappointing” new for Wales’ tourism sector.

They mentioned choices taken by the Welsh Government and Westminster critically risked damaging the nation’s tourism trade which contributes £3.8bn to the financial system yearly. They additionally criticised plans to extend nationwide insurance coverage, council tax premiums and a 182-day minimal occupancy for vacation lets and proposals for the Welsh vacationer tax.

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS Samuel Kurtz mentioned the selections had made companies “very nervous”. Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell mentioned the closure was “incredibly disappointing news for Pembrokeshire”.

He added: “My first thoughts are with the staff who have lost their jobs. This will be an extremely difficult time for them, and I urge Aspro Parks to provide as much support as possible. Oakwood has been an iconic part of Pembrokeshire’s visitor economy, drawing tourists, creating employment, and contributing to local businesses that have relied on its success.

“Its closure will undoubtedly be felt throughout the group, and we should now give attention to what comes subsequent for the location and the folks affected. The last item Pembrokeshire wants is a derelict website that’s sat empty for years.”