Holidaymaker 'booted out into cold' by hotel 'because she couldn't pay Manchester's £1.20 tourist tax'

A woman has claimed she was asked to leave a city centre hotel after being unable to pay a £1.20 charge, leaving her temporarily stranded in the city at night.

Margaret Jones, 63, had arrived in the city on Thursday evening (January 2) for an overnight stay at the Britannia Hotel on Portland Street. Having travelled from her Lincolnshire hometown, she arrived at the hotel shortly after 9pm.

At the hotel check-in, Margaret, who has mobility issues and memory loss, said she was informed by reception staff that she would be required to pay the £1.20 ‘tourist tax’ on top of her booking upon arrival.

Due to her memory loss, Margaret said she primarily pays for things in cash as she often forgets her card PIN numbers, which can lead to severe panic attacks. As a result, Margaret said she could pay for the City Visitor Charge levy with cash - but alleged she was told she must pay by card.

“I don’t like using my card, normally I carry cash all the time,” Margaret explained to the Manchester Evening News. “I’m reluctant to use my cards because I don’t remember my PIN numbers. I know where I stand with cash, my cards all look the same so I often forget which card I’m using.”

Unaware of the city tax, which was first implemented by the Manchester Accommodation BID in April 2023, Margaret said she had not expected to pay the extra charge but was not against it. However, she claimed staff at the hotel were ‘unwilling’ to help her pay with a card alternative.

“I gave them £1.50 in cash and they refused it,” she explained. “They told me they don’t take cash, and I explained about my mental impairment, but they didn’t seem to want to listen.”

Margaret, who uses a mobility walker, alleged she was then told by staff that she would need to