Boodles boss describes the tourist tax as a “spectacular own goal”

The head of the luxury jeweler Boodles described the tourist tax as a “spectacular own goal” in the run-up to the autumn declaration.

The company is among around 400 companies that have supported the Mail’s campaign to reintroduce VAT-free shopping for foreign visitors.

And as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt put the finishing touches to tomorrow’s statement, Boodles chief executive Michael Wainwright said the levy had been “extremely unhelpful” for retailers and had hit tourism more broadly.

Faces of Boodles: Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer. The jeweler has supported our campaign to reintroduce VAT-free shopping for tourists

“It’s not just luxury spending, but staying in hotels and eating out that’s being affected,” Wainwright told The Times.

Companies such as Boodles, Burberry and Marks & Spencer have supported the Mail’s campaign to abolish the tourist tax.

The boss of London’s giant Westfield shopping centers in Stratford and White City echoed Boodles’ pleas yesterday.

Scott Parsons, UK chief operating officer at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said the lack of tax-free shopping had hit the high street hard.