Harrogate hotel owner protests against bed tax

Tony Blair and his cabinet were faced with an irate hotel owner lying in a bed when they left the Midland Hotel in Manchester this morning on route to the Labour Party conference.

Peter Grazier, co-owner of the Crown hotel in Harrogate, wheeled a bed outside the front of the hotel to highlight his opposition to plans to introduce a bed tax of between 5-10% on overnight stays.

Grazier was joined by two Manchester-based lingerie models, who stayed at his hotel during a recent fashion exhibition and are opposed to paying more tax.

He said: “If this tax is introduced it will have a massive impact on the hospitality industry and cause nothing but harm and lost business. Why should one particular sector be targeted this way?

“I wanted the MPs staying here to add 10% to their hotel bills during this conference and just see how much it will cost in future.

“However, it probably won’t bother Mr Blair and Co as they don’t live in the real world. How many of them have run a business and how many have to pay their own expenses?”

Industry says Lyons doesn't understand tourism >>

Grant Hearn warns local authorities of a consumer backlash over bed tax >>

For more news, comment, letters and and to sign the petition go here >>

By Daniel Thomas

E-mail your comments to Daniel Thomas here.

Get your copy of Caterer and Hotelkeeper every week - click here to subscribe and save 25%.