MONTH IN REVIEW
MONTH IN REVIEW
www.hotelowner.co.uk
TOURIST TAX
Edinburgh
Council votes in
favour of tourist
tax
The City of Edinburgh Council has
voted in favour of a controversial plan to
implement a proposed £2 tourist tax on
the city.
The plans still require legislation from
the Scottish government, with a final
proposed to be submitted to the national
legislature following the vote today.
The news comes after the Scottish
government included an introduction for
a tourist tax into its budget last week.
The decision has been welcomed
by Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce
who said they found “broad support”
for the levy.
Its CEO, Liz McAreavey, told the BBC:
“After consulting our members, we
found broad support for the principle of
a transient visitor levy, support which
increases further if funds were ring-
fenced and re-invested entirely in the
city’s infrastructure.
“What we require now is some
more detailed information from City of
Edinburgh Council as to exactly what
they propose to do with the funds raised
via a TVL.”
However Willie Macleod,
UKHospitality’s executive director
for Scotland, said he is “extremely
disappointed” that the City of Edinburgh
Council has voted in favour of a tourist tax.
He said: “During the debate, Cllr McVey
stated that consultation was a critical
part of their process. Our members in the
city would disagree, they do not support
the introduction of a tourist tax and their
opinions have been ignored. “
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REBRANDS
Kenwood Hall
Hotel and Spa
rebrands to
Mercure Hotels
Sheffield’s historic Kenwood Hall Hotel
is rebranding to the Mercure Kenwood
Hall Hotel and Spa in March 2019, with
a significant investment in the hotel’s
facilities over the next two years.
Part of the Vine Hotels group, which
owns and operates seven hotels and
venues in the UK, the 114-bedroom
hotel is currently operating under the
Best Western brand but will soon move
to the Accor Hotel brand.
Vine Hotels said in order to support
its move to the new Mercure brand
standards, the hotel will be introducing
“key changes” to its facilities, which
include creating 24 new ‘privilege’
bedrooms. These will offer guests a
refurbished air-conditioned guestroom
with king-sized bed, complimentary
mineral water, magazines and
newspapers, internet, bathrobes,
slippers and personal coffee machines.
The hotel’s 10 meeting rooms will also
be upgraded and have “added luxuries”.
As part of the company’s investment,
work is nearing completion on
a contemporary “face-lift” to the
changing areas and reception of the
Hotel’s spa. The works will also see a
luxurious new bedroom suite created
and every bedroom in the Hotel will
benefit from new Topbrass beds and a
mini fridge.
Garin Davies, chief executive of Vine
Hotels, called the rebrand an “exciting
development” for Vine Hotels.
He said: “The Hotel has the
advantage of being set in 12 acres of
attractive parkland yet is only one mile
from Sheffield city centre, so it works
well for both corporate and leisure
travellers to the region. We already
have a strong established leisure
market for the Hotel, that takes full
advantage of this location.”
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HOTEL OPENINGS
Staybridge opens
first Scottish
property
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
has opened its first Staybridge Suites in
Scotland with the 85-room Staybridge
Suites Dundee.
The hotel offers one-bedroom and
studio suites which are designed to
deliver “the comforts of home”. The
hotel’s lobby includes a work and social
space where guests can make use of
free Wi-Fi. There is also a fully-stocked
pantry, where guests can purchase
food essentials 24 hours a day, a
complimentary daily breakfast, free
laundry facilities and 24/7 fitness room.
Staybridge suite guests can also dine
at the two-AA-Rosette Daisy Tasker
restaurant, which has been named after
a former mill worker.
Dianna Bruce, general manager for
Staybridge Suites Dundee, said: “We
are absolutely thrilled to be opening
Scotland’s first Staybridge Suites in
Dundee. Designed for the modern
traveller, we have created a hotel where
our guests can live rather than merely
stay, and it’s perfect for business and
family travellers alike.”
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