Good News for Tourism in the South West

The Alliance links up with the Tourism Alliance to lobby Government and we have recently achieved some real progress in this area with the significant changes to legislation affecting tourism businesses agreed.

The plans to scrap or simplify more than 60 regulations, freeing businesses from overly burdensome, bureaucratic or completely redundant rules, were announced on Thursday 29th September by Tourism Minister John Penrose.

The proposals come from nearly 600 comments from the public and businesses as part of the Government's rigorous 'Red Tape Challenge' and includes proposals to:

• make licensing applications forms simpler and, following consultation, give local areas more flexibility over late-night refreshment licensing, the process for obtaining a Temporary Event Notice (TENs) and reducing the administrative burdens on businesses with minimal alcohol sales.  This will be a particular benefit to B&Bs, guest accommodation and self caterers;
• scrap the regulations covering the location and design of no smoking signs
• change regulations to make clear that properties rented out for less than four months in a year do not need Energy Performance Certificates.  Guidance will also make clear that an EPC is not required where a property is used for short term holiday lets as long a certain conditions are met;
• tackle excess charges for inspection of private water supplies through increased transparency;

The Government has also launched a major programme of improvement for food regulations that will particularly benefit smaller businesses and new entrants.  Specific measures that are being announced included a rationalisation of food labelling, composition and food safety regulations reducing the number from 68 to 28 and a new 'food labelling map', making it much easier for businesses to know the rules they need to follow.

There will be more details to follow and we will continue to keep you informed through this site and our regular newsletters.  Subscribe today if you would like to receive these updates.

Date added: Wednesday 5th October 2011
Latest updated: Thursday 8th March 2012