Kintyre businesses back campaign against tax that could ‘run economy into the ground’

He added that many are already hard-pressed as a result of rate rises, refuse collection costs and other council-imposed costs. 

“Self-catering businesses are still reeling from the council’s poor implementation of the STL licensing scheme,” he said. “I realise the cards the council and others were dealt by the Scottish Government on this were very poor, however, the council’s interpretation, inaction and utterly appalling implementation hardly bodes well for the running of a visitor levy scheme.

“Unfortunately, gone are the days of the council actually working with businesses and it nows seems like it is actively seeking to work against them. 

“Councillors appear to be rubbing their hands at the suggested £9 million filling the coffers per annum, but yet cannot see the damage this will do to the economy of Argyll and Bute overall.”

A special meeting of the council will be held on December 20, where councillors will consider a draft scheme for the next stage of consultation, which is due to be held next year.

Mr Macalister Hall is asking councillors to “read the room, speak to businesses in the area and listen to local residents” adding: “I think the opposition to this is huge and it’s not as simple as saying ‘but other countries run schemes that work’. Other countries don’t have a 20 per cent VAT rate, other areas have a simpler £/head rate and other areas don’t have declining population.

“I truly fear for many businesses in Kintyre. Most will survive, however, this will seriously hinder growth that we, as a region, so dearly wish for and, in turn, will not halt the decline the area has witnessed over the last 20 years.”

Mr Fletcher is also seriously concerned about the plans which he believes will deter tourism and “run local businesses and the local economy into the ground”.

He said: “Sadly we hear a lot from the Scottish Government about building a good relationship with businesses, about growing the economy and the importance of tourism, then it goes and passes a piece of legislation in the visitor levy that is anti-business, anti-economic-growth and anti-tourism. 

“And now, more sadly, the council has begun a course of action to implement it here in Argyll and Bute. 

“It will be one of, what looks like, a select few councils, that are showing scant regard for the welfare of their local businesses, by making it more costly and difficult to do business; scant regard for the local economy by siphoning off money that would have been spent by visitors in our local shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants and leisure facilities; scant regard to the importance of tourism to the area by pricing Argyll out of the market and giving off the message that tourists are not welcome here. 

“I urge people to fight back against this and, in the first instance, sign the online petition.”

An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said the authority needs to support a sustainable visitor economy in the region and this proposal could result in “significant investment”.

“Visitors to Argyll and Bute expect to have access to services that local people also use but there are 20 times more visitors to Argyll and Bute than there are in the total population of the area and this has an impact on the wear and tear of local infrastructure and services,” said the spokesperson.

“Many of these services rely on our shrinking public sector budgets and are not a duty of a council to fund. We must explore the opportunities that a visitor levy brings for our tourism industry and local communities.

“If agreed at council in December, the next stage will be a 12-week consultation that allows everyone a chance to give their views on a local levy and what they want any potential income spent on. 

“We are exploring the levy’s potential for bringing significant investment to the area’s visitor economy and keeping Argyll and Bute as a choice destination for visitors and residents. 

“This is about being realistic, supportive and ambitious for growing tourism and quality of life in Argyll and Bute.”

Visit chng.it/y287HYwBrG to view or sign the petition.