'We will fight these plans at every stage' - Eastbourne Conservatives say they would not introduce 'tourist tax'
Eastbourne Conservatives say they would not introduce an overnight stay levy if their candidate Katy Bourne was elected as Mayor of Sussex.
The Visitor Levy Bill was introduced in Parliament on Wednesday (November 4) proposing to give new powers to local leaders to charge a small fee on overnight stays.
A mayoral election for the Sussex and Brighton Strategic Authority (SBSA) is scheduled for May 2028.
The elected candidate would likely be responsible for introducing a overnight levy in Eastbourne.
In a full Eastbourne Borough Council meeting on September 30, Cllr Robert Smart (Conservatives) tabled a motion formally opposing the proposed levy.
An alternative motion, put forward by Cabinet Member for Tourism and Place Jenny Williams (Liberal Democrats), was agreed calling for a “full consultation” with the local tourism industry before the introduction of any levy.
But Conservative councillors, including Cllr Smart, say the levy would risk ‘tipping more businesses over the edge’.
A spokesperson for the party said: “Some people ask whether it might be acceptable if the money is promised for local investment. Our concern is that once a new tax is in place, the rate and the way it is spent are largely controlled somewhere else, not by local businesses or residents.
“Tourism is already a marginal industry, squeezed by high VAT, business rates, rising national insurance, energy costs and food inflation. Adding another layer of tax risks tipping more businesses over the edge and making Eastbourne less attractive in a very competitive market.”
They added: “As your Conservative councillors we are clear. We will fight these plans at every stage and a Conservative Sussex Mayor would not introduce this tax.”