A rise in tourism has sparked new calls for the government to u-turn on its decision to remove tax-free shopping for overseas customers. British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said the government must take advantage of the summer surge by “reintroducing VAT relief for overseas visitors to boost the UK’s attractiveness compared with other destinations and stimulate spending”.
It comes as data by the trade association found that footfall in high streets and major cities was up “thanks to an increase in international tourism”. Latest figures from the BRC-Sensormatic IQ Footfall Monitor show high street footfall inched up 0.6% in June, with footfall in London also up 0.6% year-on-year.
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