New West End Company has been tirelessly campaigning for the return of tax-free shopping since it was abolished when the U.K. left the EU on the 1st January 2021. We are the only major European country not to offer the benefit of tax-free shopping to international visitors. We know from conversations with our members, that this is negatively impacting retail, restaurants, hotels and leisure businesses across the West End and beyond. This debate is a milestone, not only for the New West End Company and our members, but for the entire tourism ecosystem.

Speaking on the debate our Chief Executive Dee Corsi said

“The Treasury has the opportunity to reinstate tax-free shopping, with a net positive effect on government tax revenues, and providing a much-needed injection of growth into the economy. It would encourage businesses to continue to invest in the U.K., safeguard existing jobs and create a more competitive trading environment”.

Dee Corsi, Chief Executive of New West End Company

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