We must act now to restore VAT-free shopping so, for example, we are an attractive hop across the Channel for visitors to the Olympics in Paris next summerĪfter Brexit, the Government inexplicably decided to stop overseas visitors from being able to reclaim VAT on goods purchased here and then taken home.

Pictured: Shopping centre decorated for the Coronation (file photo). Britain is competing in the global race for tourism with our shoelaces tied together. She said she ‘always imagined strengthening our foothold here’ but there were ‘too many challenges to further entertain this plan’, including a dramatic drop in both European and Asian customers since the tax was scrapped.Īnd Henry Deakin, who runs Britain’s oldest family jeweller Deakin & Francis, told The Mail: ‘If I was a tourist, doing a world-wide tour, I’d hold back’ on splurging in the UK. Peggy Porschen said she would consider expanding her cake cafe business in countries other than Britain. Dee Corsi, boss of the New West End Company, which shared the figures, said a Covid recovery was being held back by the tax.Īlthough international visitors were slowly returning to London, they were hesitant to go on shopping sprees to the same extent, she said, adding: ‘The harmful impact of this tourist tax is being amplified as international visitors return in greater numbers.’ Last week, footfall in the West End – including in Oxford St and Bond St – was down 23 per cent compared to the same week in 2019. She described Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s refusal to re-introduce the scheme, ditched after Brexit, as an ‘own goal’ that could drive businesses, as well as wealthy shoppers, to Paris and Milan. Ms Rowland said the tax was one of several challenges for European businesses setting up shop in the UK and she would ‘certainly think twice’ about coming to London if in their shoes Pictured: Anda Rowland, who heads the Royal suitmaker Anderson & Sheppard in Savile Row (file photo).

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