NED | Hotelier. Passionate about hotels, hospitality, tourism & travel. Advocate of Edinburgh & Scotland tourism.
Joined July 2021
- Tweets 984
- Following 627
- Followers 494
- Likes 1,704
49 Photos and videos
Russell Imrie πͺπΊ retweeted
May 15
A holiday tax would make the UK one of the most expensive places to take a break in Europe.
Our member @RussellImrie of @BestWesternGB explains on @BBCBreakfast why a holiday tax, combined with our 20% rate of VAT, is a bad idea for holidaymakers, businesses and the economy.
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Warth in Austria. VAT on accommodation was 10% and Visitor Tax was β¬3.00 pppn. VAT on accommodation in UK is 20% and City of Edinburgh is charging 5% VAT (so 6%) Visitor Tax from July 26. Edinburgh at risk of being an uncompetitive destination. #Edinburgh #Tourism
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The way forward for the UK is an Economic Union and a Defence Union with Europe. The old order is over and a United Europe is the way forward for the economic and defence security of the UK, and all Europe. Anyone who does not see this is ignoring events. #EuropeanUnion
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14 Jul 2025
Reduced employment, lower wage increases (if any), factories not at capacity and fragility and failures in the hospitality sector. The result of the increase in Employers NI contributions.
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1 May 2025
Observations on Japan hotels: bedroom amenities inc toothbrush & paste, brush, razor & shave gel; toiletries are loose bulk & very high quality; pyjamas provided (!); room servicing every 3rd day; breakfast 100% self serve inc self-clear; Japan guests go to breakfast in pyjamas!
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1 May 2025
Continued: hotels are very low staffed but still give great service from reception; evening restaurant service is rare in mid-market hotels; hotel bars rare; shower quality & pressure is 5*; very deep baths (!), housekeeping & maintenance is 5*.
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29 Apr 2025
Observations in Japan: spotlessly clean, continuous cleaning, polite, no graffiti, no litter, free clean WCs everywhere, everybody obeys the rules (e.g. waiting at crossings), no tipping, helpful staff (trains, hotels, shops, restaurants), no potholes. UK?
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28 Apr 2025
Japan is a welcoming country for tourists. Three factors which make the visitor welcomed? It is surprisingly affordable. There is no tipping. Tourist taxes are generally not charged, and where they are, it is around Β£2.50 per room. European destinations have tough competition.
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25 Mar 2025
Taxing tourism: why the challenges can outweigh the benefits.
Edinburgh and other Scotland local authorities should take note.
hospitalityinvestor.com/amerβ¦
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25 Feb 2025
Energy price cap up again. Govt claims that UK needs to move to a non-carbon energy strategy to avoid the reliance & volatility of global oil & gas prices. Solar, wind & nuclear generates electricity. Over 90% of UK homes & businesses are heated by gas for many years to come.
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24 Feb 2025
A reduction in jobs was an inevitable result of the Employers National Insurance rise. Why could government not anticipate that this would be the outcome of increasing tax on employing people?
24 Feb 2025
70% of hospitality operators to cut jobs due to tax rises
β‘οΈ thecaterer.com/news/70-of-hoβ¦
thecaterer.com/news/70-of-hoβ¦
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20 Feb 2025
Companies planning redundancies, not recruiting & cancelling investment, business failures up, many SMEs in a fragile state. As a result, consumer confidence is at record low. This is the result of budget decision of increased Employersβ NI & above inflation increase in min wage.
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20 Dec 2024
ππWe did not have long to wait. Today the Bank of England has confirmed that the recent budget has resulted in businesses stopping employment and raising prices which has created higher inflation, reduced growth and stalled the economy.
1 Dec 2024
ππGovernment has made its choices, and the result will be higher prices, higher inflation, lower employment, lower growth and lower corporation tax receipts. Inevitably some will say this will not happen. Just wait.
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1 Dec 2024
ππGovernment has made its choices, and the result will be higher prices, higher inflation, lower employment, lower growth and lower corporation tax receipts. Inevitably some will say this will not happen. Just wait.
1 Dec 2024
Business confidence crashes to lowest level since pandemic after Reeves tax raid telegraph.co.uk/business/202β¦
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25 Nov 2024
Did the government honestly believe that increasing Employers NI would have no impact on businesses recruiting extra staff, no impact on decisions to expand, and no impact on growth? Really hard to believe that they thought that, but then again perhaps not. @RachelReevesMP
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21 Nov 2024
RIP Ken McCulloch, a visionary Scottish hotelier who was a pioneer of the boutique hotel concept in UK, the person behind One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow, Malmaison Hotels, Dakota Hotels, and the creator of innovative wine bars, restaurants and hotels.
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15 Nov 2024
But probably not in Scotland? Scottish hospitality businesses do not even receive the current 40% rates discount.
Permanent cut in business rates for hospitality from 2026 thecaterer.com/news/permanenβ¦
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31 Oct 2024
View on Β£1m limit for passing farms to next generation on death. A few tractors, a combine harvester, a uni loader, trailers, a muck spreader and a bailer will value at Β£1m before the farm land and buildings value is taken into account. This is dire for farmers. @JamesMelville
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31 Oct 2024
All over the UK, small company boards are arranging meetings to discuss the financial implications of this ideological malicious budget. The results are clear: reduced recruitment, reduced pay increases, increased prices, and unit closures. This is the impact on the βworkerβ.
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31 Oct 2024
More reflections on the dire budget. According to the OBR, net growth in GDP in 5 years time is negative. Over the next 5 years, cumulative GDP is only 1.5%. Pound is falling, yield on gilts up. It was a budget for No Growth and business stress.
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