Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change has announced this week changes to the business rate threshold which could come into effect on April 2023. We are urgently seeking your feedback / evidence on the potential impact to self-catering businesses following this announcement which will see the threshold for businesses to be classed as self-catering businesses rise from the current 140 available to let / 70 day actual let in any one year, to 282 days available to let / 182 days actual let (i.e 50% occupancy achieved). If you fail to meet this threshold your Local Authority could move your business from business rated to council tax rated and will also […]
The Welsh Government has announced an increase to the maximum level of council tax premiums for second homes, as well as new local tax rules for holiday lets. The measures are part of a wider commitment to address the issue of second homes and unaffordable housing facing many communities in Wales, as set out in the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru. The maximum level at which local authorities can set council tax premiums on second homes and long-term empty properties will be increased to 300%, which will be effective from April 2023. This will enable councils to decide the level which is appropriate for their individual […]
Qualifications Wales is conducting a sector review of qualifications and the qualifications system in the travel, tourism, hospitality and catering sector. Views are sought from employers, learners, learning providers and sector bodies. To take part, contact: travelandtourism@qualficationswales.org. https://www.qualificationswales.org/english/qualifications/vocational-qualifications/travel-tourism-hospitality-and-catering-sector-review/
We appreciate that it remains to be an extremely difficult, worrying and complex time for many businesses and individuals across North Wales with the COVID-19 pandemic but please remember that we are here to support you. If you have any questions/queries please do not hesitate to contact us, by email (contacts below), social media channels, online chat on the Trade website or phone. Please email jim.jones@gonorthwales.org.uk; eirlys.jones@gonorthwales.org.uk or deborah.nettleton@gonorthwales.org.uk with any issues etc you may have.Please also make sure that you are kept up to date with all the information as they happen by visiting our Trade site www.northwalestourism.com and following us on our NWTBiz social media platforms (facebook and […]
North Wales Tourism is pleased to announce that Glenn Evans, Director of the Royal Oak and Waterloo Hotels in Betws y Coed has recently been appointed the Vice Chair of North Wales Tourism.North Wales Tourism, celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2021, the organisation represents approx 1500 tourism & Hospitality businesses in North Wales.Chris Frost the Chairman said:“It is a great pleasure to welcome Glenn to the position of Vice-Chair of North Wales Tourism; he has been a valued member of the board for a number of years and his breadth of experience in the industry, especially as one of the largest employers in tourism here in North Wales, will be […]
A new transport commission that will develop a pipeline of transport schemes for north Wales has been announced The year-long review will develop recommendations for road, rail, bus and active travel across the whole of North Wales. This step follows on from the advice of the Roads Review Panel to cancel current plans for the A55 Junction 14/15 and 16/16A improvements scheme, which Ministers have agreed. It has also now been agreed which further schemes the Panel will consider as part of their final report due this summer. https://gov.wales/lord-burns-lead-north-wales-transport-review https://gov.wales/written-statement-roads-review-initial-report-and-north-wales-transport-commission-a55-j14-16
The Welsh Government has confirmed a consultation on proposals for a local visitor levy will launch in autumn 2022. The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government, and the Cooperation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, both contain commitments to introduce levies. Formal consultation on draft legislative proposals for a visitor levy will launch in the autumn, providing a platform for a range of views to be considered. https://gov.wales/next-step-development-tourism-tax https://gov.wales/written-statement-development-local-tourism-levy
North Wales Tourism are working with COS (Centre of Sign Sight Sound), a disability charity based in Colwyn Bay which works to help tackle social exclusion. The Cael Cymru programme is a two year funded project: To produce 40 accessible videos of various places of interest across North Wales (at no cost to the site owners) where written English and Welsh are not the languages needed for people who wish to access the information.To provide free and subsidised training to frontline staff in the leisure and tourism industry of dealing with people with a sensory loss or information access need. Full details about the project is attached or you can […]
New smoking laws are being introduced in Wales which affects the tourism industry. From 1 March 2022, all hotels, guesthouses, inns, hostels and members’ clubs must be smoke-free and will no longer be able to offer designated smoking bedrooms. All self-contained holiday and temporary accommodation, such as cottages, caravans, chalets and other short term lettings accommodation will also be no smoking. Owners should therefore have prepared for conversion any of their smoking accommodation/designated smoking bedrooms to smoke-free ready for 1 March 2022 – after this date it will be against the law to smoke in these areas and a fine could be issued. Further information on how these changes affects […]
Virtual Employment Law Update 8th March 2022 hosted by Supertemps and S2 Recruitment with guest speakers from JMW Solicitors LLP Free webinar hosted by Supertemps and S2 Recruitment with guest speakers Simon Bloch and Paul Chamberlain from JMW Solicitors LLP. Areas covered include: Developments in holiday payWorking from home/hybrid working – legal issues‘No jab/no job’ – mandated vaccinationsDigital right to work checksA roundup of important case law over the last year Tuesday 8th March 2022, 10am – 11.45am via Zoom https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/employment-law-update-2022-tickets-255994986897 The webinar is aimed at HR/personnel directors and managers, business owners and those in charge of staff.