Liverpool Considers £2 Nightly Visitor Charge

Visitors to Liverpool may be subject to a £2 nightly charge for their stays in the city, under a new proposal. Hotels and serviced accommodation providers, who are members of Liverpool’s Accommodation Business Improvement District (BID), are requested to introduce a new City Visitor Charge aimed at supporting the city’s growth and development. This charge, which could be implemented from June 2025, is projected to contribute £6 million to the city’s visitor economy, according to Liverpool BID. Bill Addy, CEO of Liverpool BID, expressed his view that visitors would not be deterred by the additional fee. “We know that overnight guests spend more money in the city than day trippers so encouraging more overnight stays, through conferences or major events spanning several days, generates a greater income for the city, be that through hospitality, retail, cultural venues,” he said. “The method we are proposing reflects similar models across European cities which work successfully and, if replicated in Liverpool, will translate overnight stays into major investment in attracting world leading and world beating events to the city.” The fee, to be managed by the Accommodation BID – a business improvement district overseen by hotels and serviced apartment providers in the city – is also intended to finance public services such as street cleaning. The majority of funds generated are designated for a combination of a subvention fund (65%) and destination marketing (21%), Liverpool BID stated. Marcus Magee, chair of Liverpool’s Accommodation BID, said: “This is an alteration ballot, which will ask the hotel industry to change the way we bring in funds. “The change in the model is necessary to help the city bring in more events, and Liverpool to compete with neighbouring cities. “We are in a competitive visitor economy and it is vital that Liverpool holds its own.”