A woman has claimed she was asked to leave a hotel after struggling to pay a £1.20 charge. Margaret Jones says that she was left stranded when staff members at the Britannia Hotel on Portland Street, Manchester, said that she was unable to pay the small amount with cash.
The 63-year-old travelled from Lincolnshire to the hotel on Thursday, January 2, and arrived at around 9pm. When she tried to check-in, Margaret, who has mobility issues and memory loss, claims 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.
She told the Manchester Evening News that due to her memory loss, she is unable to remember her pin numbers and so prefers to pay in cash where possible. Not being able to do so can lead to panic attacks, she said. POLL: Do you agree with the DWP taking money from bank accounts or wages? Margaret told hotel staff that she could pay for the City Visitor Charge levy with cash, but she was allegedly told she must pay by card.
She said: "I don’t like using my card, normally I carry cash all the time. "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.
” Margaret had not been aware of the charge but was not against paying it. But she claimed staff at the hotel were ‘unwilling’ to help her pay with a card alternative. She said: "I gave them £1.
50 in cash and th.
