A popular seaside town, known affectionately as ‘Chelsea-on-Sea,’ is facing growing concerns from local businesses after plans were unveiled to introduce a tourist parking tax.
This proposal aims to address the influx of visitors to the area by charging tourists higher rates than residents for parking. However, many fear that this move could harm the local economy.
Rising Costs for Tourists
Under the new plan, parking fees at Salcombe Creek car park will increase for tourists.
A full day of parking would rise from £6.50 to £10 for non-residents, while locals would pay only £8.
To qualify for the lower rate, residents would need to apply for a discount.
This proposal has sparked a backlash from business owners, who warn that it could discourage visitors and affect sales.
Local Business Owners Speak Out
Jude Macintosh, the manager of The Ship In Dock Inn, voiced her concerns about the impact of the price hikes.
She explained that parking in both Salcombe and Dartmouth has always been a challenge and raised prices would not attract more guests.
Macintosh also noted that her business has seen a drop in bookings by a third due to the removal of parking permits, which they can no longer afford to provide.
Wendy Jones, owner of Dartmouth Launderette, also expressed her frustration, saying the parking tax would be damaging to local businesses.
She emphasized that the high costs of parking and park-and-ride services already deter people from visiting and that making them even more expensive would only hurt the local economy.
The Challenge of Enforcement
In Totnes, a town also being considered for similar measures, Roger Savin, owner of The Little Elbow Room, questioned how the council would enforce the new charges.
He pointed out that even if a car has a London license plate, the driver may still be a local resident, making it difficult to determine who is a tourist.
Another business owner in Totnes expressed concern that an unreasonable price increase could deter tourists from shopping in the area.
They argued that tourists are essential to sustaining local businesses and that higher parking fees would negatively impact foot traffic and sales.
The Council’s Perspective
The South Hams District Council defended the proposed charges, saying they were “regretfully considering” the price increases starting on April 1, 2025.
They cited a comparison with other areas in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and Dorset, which revealed that the current parking rates in South Hams are among the lowest.
The council also announced plans for a new Resident Discounts Scheme, which would allow locals to access reduced parking charges through a cashless parking app.
For those without a smartphone, an additional half-hour parking time would be granted.
Broader Trend Across the UK
The discussion surrounding a tourist parking tax is part of a wider trend in the UK, with several cities considering similar measures to boost funding for local attractions and public services.
York recently became the latest city to propose a tourist tax on hotel stays, following discussions in London about implementing a similar fee.
Other cities, including Manchester and Liverpool, have already introduced such taxes.
However, unlike European cities, local councils in the UK currently lack the legal power to impose a tourist tax directly.
Instead, Manchester and Liverpool introduced a workaround by implementing Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), which collect additional payments from businesses in specific areas to support tourism initiatives.
What’s Next?
As the consultation period for the South Hams’ new parking proposals continues, the future of tourist parking taxes in the region remains uncertain.
The council plans to finalize its decision by January 2025.
Meanwhile, other towns and cities across the UK will likely watch the situation closely, considering similar measures in a bid to support their local economies.