Tories say a tourism levy could take money out of Coventry
One of Coventry’s most iconic attractions, St Mary’s Guildhall(Image: )
Tory concerns over a possible tourist tax across Coventry have been dubbed ‘scaremongering’ by the ruling Labour group on the city council. The war of words follows a Government proposal that could see the West Midlands mayor levy the tax.
Opposition group leader Cllr Gary Ridley tabled a motion at this week’s (Tuesday) full council meeting calling for a rethink only for a Labour amendment – which was voted through – to turn this on its head.
The original motion read: “This Council notes the Government’s proposal to allow regional mayors to levy a tourist tax and expresses its serious concern regarding the negative impact this could have on Coventry ’s visitor economy. In particular, the impact on key local assets such as Coombe Abbey Hotel and heritage attractions like St Mary’s Guildhall.
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“This council resolves to make immediate, strong representations to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and His Majesty’s Government, firmly opposing the implementation of a tourist tax within the City of Coventry.”
The amended motion was a total reworking and said the council would ‘respond constructively’ to the consultation launched by the Government, calling on the WMCA and the mayor to continue to engage with the hospitality and visitor sector. It added that the council opposed ‘irresponsible scaremongering that risks damaging Coventry’s reputation as a welcoming destination and instead back a grown-up approach’.
Speaking in the council chamber, Cllr Ridley said: “This Government has given the elected mayor the power to introduce this over our heads. A Birmingham-based mayor levying a tax on Coventry and there’s not even any guarantee that the revenue raised from it will be spent in Coventry.”
His Tory colleague Cllr Mattie Heaven added: “To introduce a tourist tax within Coventry city is a disastrous move. Coventry’s tourism sector is not booming, it is fragile. Coventry relies on assets like Coombe Abbey and St Mary’s Guildhall and we should be promoting them, not pricing people out of coming here.
“This tax is wrong, it is unfair and it will hurt Coventry citizens. I urge members to support this motion and reject the tourist tax.”
But Cllr Jim O’Boyle, the cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change who tabled the amendment, said the Tories in the council chamber had failed to understand the process. He said: “We are not talking about an immediate tourist tax, words designed to spread alarm across our tourist venues and businesses. The proposal of safeguards and consultation are designed to protect the tourism industry in our city and others and help its growth.
“We will take no lecture from the Tories about wanting to support Coventry. Coventry has an amazing visitor and tourism offering and we are always looking to protect and further its development. There were 11.8 million visitors in 2024. That is an absolute record and builds on the work that has been done over a number of years to make Coventry an attractive place to come and visit.
“We have a destination management partnership in this city which I set up and it is run by the private sector on behalf of the tourism sector with lots of different partners. They are putting private investment into that in order to support that economy and that is good for our city and good for everyone who lives and works in this city.”
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