Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely says bed and breakfast providers on the Island are struggling to access financial support from the Government – and he intends to do all he can to help them.
B&Bs, who have been forced into closure, can’t currently access emergency COVID-19 grants intended for small hospitality businesses because they pay council tax – rather than business rates.
Bob said:
“I have been contacted by B&B owners on the Island who say they have been hit very hard by the current situation with Spring bookings cancelled and no idea when they will be able to reopen.
“Despite a plethora of financial packages of support for businesses coming through from the Treasury, it seems bed and breakfast providers may have fallen through the cracks and we must address this.
“With so many Island businesses dependant on the visitor economy, it is vitally important that B&Bs are not forgotten about and I will do all I can to ensure the Government is made aware of their plight.
“I will be raising the issue with Tourism Minister, Nigel Huddleston, and Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, to see what can be done.”
Nationally, a campaign is being run by The Bed & Breakfast Association calling on MP’s to support B&Bs. It is believed that over 10,000 B&Bs in Britain may be affected.
I know this will sound unsympathetic in the current climate, but…
I was of the understanding/misunderstanding that holiday rentals/ B&B’s quite often slip through the net of the Council Tax/Business Rates system as if their earnings are below a certain threshold, they basically end up paying nothing or virtually nothing.
Surely if you are running a business as a B&B, then Shirley you should be registered for Business Rates and not domestics Council Tax.
As I said, I know this sounds unsympathetic and is bound to be unpopular, but, think of how much (some of) these private businesses have “gotten away with” in the past, and yet now they are complaining about being disadvantaged.
As I have said, I may be TOTALLY wrong here, but it is just a thought…
It’s only the very small b&b’s affected (3 rooms or less) that are paying nothing.
The majority including mine are over 3 rooms and are liable for business rates and pay their council tax if they live on site.
You are wrong as council tax is paid at a set rate for self catering based on property size.
Quote “seems bed and breakfast providers may have fallen through the cracks”
Which cracks? Badly maintained properties because most of them don’t live here during the winter months….. Call me cynical.
the business rate relief is also capped far too low, many businesses are just outside and receive no help, more business to close soon, high street will soon be non-existent
Maybe this why our MP wants use islander as guinea-pigs on thw stupid early locdown idea.
Or dies he want free B&B
Maybe the B&B’s should register their B&B’s as businesses. Some are renting more rooms to more people than the rules allow – 6 people is the max. They want the best of both worlds.