Tourist Tax
Today at The Scottish Parliament the stage 1 debate on the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill is on the agenda.
This is of importance to Edinburgh, which hopes to be the first city to use the legislation to impose a Visitor Levy to raise extra income for the capital from anyone staying overnight in the city in certain types of accommodation.
Although launched in March 2020 as a national strategy following a consultation in the last quarter of 2019 it was paused by the pandemic and only revived as a bill in May last year.
Each local authority is to be allowed to decide if it wants to introduce a charge, what the level of the charge should be, and whether it should be a flat rate or a percentage of the accommodation cost which applies in some of the larger cities in Europe.
It is still not fixed what the income from the national 17.5 million visitors would be used for, and it is up to each council to decide how to use it. The Scottish Government’s approach is to have a “broad national framework within which a local authority would set out a local visitor levy scheme”.
The Cockburn Association has published its comments here in response to the council’s online survey which remains open for everyone to have their say until 19 January.
Goodies are reopening
Farrah Maryam CEO of Goodies SCIO has been in touch with their news of reopening next week: “We are a charity called Goodies SCIO based in Edinburgh, we are primarily a food charity but we save anything that’s surplus that can be redistributed to those in need. Working with Edinburgh university and a large number of supermarkets and businesses.
“On the 22nd January we will be reopening our café community hub and warm space at the Southside community centre in Newington where we will serve tasty low-cost meals, offer a free food pantry and bring the community together through various activities and mental health awareness talks and support etc.”
Apply for a college course
There’s still time to try something new as places are available on a wide range of January-start courses at Scotland’s capital College.
Edinburgh College’s January courses start later this month – meaning potential applicants still have time to book their place and take the next step in their education and career journey.
Places are available in subject areas including: Music, Computing, Cookery and Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, Business, Science, Health and Care and Sport and Fitness.
In addition to full-time courses, a variety of flexible study options – including evening and part-time – are available to suit the needs of those with family commitments or those in employment.
Courses are delivered by expert lecturers across the College’s four campuses: Granton; Midlothian; Milton Road; and Sighthill – all of which house state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.
As well as high-quality learning, students also have access to extensive support services including: funding, learning support and wellbeing during their time at the College.
Audrey Cumberford, Edinburgh College Principal, said: “We’re looking forward to launching our January-start courses for 2024. It is always an exciting time for us to welcome new students to our Edinburgh College community.
“Our courses are delivered by expert teaching staff and are designed to provide students with the skills they need to either continue their learner journey or achieve their chosen career. We look forward to supporting our next wave of students to take their next step.”
Thrift Sale next week
A Thrift Sale is being held at the Wee Red Bar next to the Edinburgh College of Art on Lauriston Place next week. Details below.
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And if you have any stories then do get in touch. editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
