Lambeth Plans Tourist Tax Near London Eye and National Theatre

Key Points

• Lambeth Council is considering introducing a tourist tax called the “Love Lambeth Levy.”
• The tax would charge visitors a small fee on overnight accommodation, including hotels and short-term lets.
• Revenue would be used to improve local infrastructure, street cleaning, and community projects.
• Other UK cities such as Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Manchester have successfully raised millions from similar taxes.
• Lambeth is home to major attractions like the London Eye, National Theatre, and Southbank Centre.
• Some local businesses, especially in Brixton Village market, are concerned the tax could deter visitors.
• Business owners call for transparency and equitable application across London to avoid unfair competition.
• Details of how the levy will be implemented remain under discussion.

What is the proposal for a tourist tax in Lambeth?

As reported by Secret London, Lambeth Council is exploring a new tourist tax known as the “Love Lambeth Levy,” which would charge a small nightly fee on visitors’ accommodation across the borough. This idea follows similar tourism levies introduced in cities like Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Manchester, which collectively raised £2.8 million in their first year of implementation. According to the report by Secret London, the aim is to generate revenue from tourists to reinvest in local services and infrastructure, enhancing the borough’s appeal as a destination to visit and live in.

Why is Lambeth considering a tourist tax now?

Lambeth has become a significant tourist hub, despite being popularly viewed as a collection of neighbourhoods such as Brixton, Clapham, Vauxhall, Streatham, and Norwood. As covered by Secret London, Lambeth hosts some of London’s top attractions including the London Eye, the National Theatre, and the Southbank Centre. The South Bank itself attracts tens of millions of visitors each year, with approximately 200,000 night-time visitors every weekend. Lambeth Labour, leading the campaign, argues that the borough’s infrastructure and public services need additional funding to cope with this heavy influx, and the tourist tax would help cover these costs, particularly focusing on sustained maintenance and improving public spaces.

How have other cities benefited from tourist taxes?

Cities such as Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Manchester have implemented similar tourist taxes, which have been financially successful. According to reports by Secret London, these cities raised about £2.8 million in just their first year after introducing accommodation levies. These funds have been used to support local infrastructure improvements and community projects, reducing the burden on residents while promoting the city as a tourist-friendly destination.

What are the concerns of local businesses regarding the proposed tax?

Local business reactions have been mixed. According to Secret London’s coverage, some shop owners in Brixton Village market expressed worries that the tourist tax could discourage visitors at a time when local footfall is already vulnerable. Small independent shops and markets see an added cost to visitors as a potential barrier to patronage. Andrew Murray-Watson, founder of the Brixton Village shop Guzzl, told Secret London that although he is not opposed to the tax in principle, its success depends on careful management and the transparent reinvestment of funds back into the community.

In addition, another business owner, Jack Lander from the Bristol pizza chain Pizzarova located in Pop Brixton, raised questions about the fairness of the tax, noting that visitors staying in neighbouring boroughs like Westminster might avoid the fee while Lambeth-based accommodation would be taxed. This could create an uneven playing field for businesses within Lambeth compared to other parts of London.

How might the Love Lambeth Levy be implemented?

Though details are still provisional, the levy is expected to be an addition to accommodation costs, similar to models used in Manchester, Edinburgh, and Liverpool. Secret London indicated that the key objective is to use revenue from visitors to maintain and enhance Lambeth’s public spaces and local infrastructure without placing the financial burden on residents. The council aims to ensure the levy benefits both the local community and businesses by reinvesting funds into public services such as street cleaning and public realm upgrades.

What is the political stance on the tourist tax in Lambeth?

Lambeth Labour has been the main political force behind the campaign to introduce the tourist tax. Their position, reported by Secret London, highlights the need for sustainable funding sources to address the increased demand on local infrastructure caused by the borough’s popularity among tourists. They emphasise that such a levy would help mitigate negative impacts of tourism by boosting local services and enhancing the borough’s reputation as an attractive and liveable place.