Somerset Council has confirmed it has no plans to introduce a ‘holiday tax’ for visitors, following concerns raised by Conservative councillors about the potential impact on the county’s vital tourism industry.
The reassurance comes after the Labour government held a national consultation on whether mayoral strategic authorities in England should be given the power to introduce local overnight visitor levies—a charge added to hotel or holiday‑let stays, with revenue reinvested into local services. The consultation closed in February and is now being reviewed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The issue was brought to Somerset Council’s executive committee earlier this month by Conservative councillor Bob Filmer, as reported here.
He warned that any such levy could place further strain on tourism businesses already facing rising costs.
Mr Filmer said many family‑run holiday parks and hospitality businesses in Berrow, Brean, Burnham-On-Sea and across Somerset were “already having to deal with increased government taxes, increased costs to employ staff and increased overheads such as fuel,” adding that “they cannot afford any further burdens imposed locally.”
He asked the council to give a clear commitment that no visitor levy would be introduced in Somerset.
Responding at the meeting, Councillor Federica Smith‑Roberts, portfolio holder for communities, council housing, culture, equalities and diversity, said the council recognised the importance of tourism to Somerset’s economy and confirmed that no such tax could be introduced locally under current legislation.
She said: “Tourism is identified as one of the county’s bedrock sectors in our economic prosperity strategy. At present, there is no basis on which English local authorities—such as this council—can or could in the future set a tax on visitors.”
She added that Somerset is not included in the map of existing or proposed mayoral strategic authorities, meaning the county would not be eligible for the powers being explored in the government consultation. Any future change would depend on national decisions around regional devolution and whether Somerset becomes part of a new strategic authority.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Filmer said he would continue pressing the council to ensure no visitor levy is introduced, stating:
“Tourism is one of Somerset’s key industries and supports thousands of local jobs.
Businesses are already under pressure and the last thing they need is the threat of new local taxes on visitors.”
His division includes some of the county’s busiest tourism hotspots, including Brean Down, numerous caravan parks, and Brean Theme Park, which reopened over Easter after previously entering liquidation.
Somerset Council reiterated that it remains committed to supporting the visitor economy and working with local businesses to strengthen the county’s tourism offer.
ALSO SEE:
Holiday parks in Burnham-On-Sea and Brean
