Liverpool hotels to charge extra £2 per night from June

North Wales Live

25-04-2025

Liverpool's hotels and serviced apartments have decided to implement an additional £2 overnight fee for guests staying in the city. The proposal, presented as a modification ballot through the Accommodation BID (ABID), received backing from a vote conducted by the city's 83 hotels.
The levy was approved with 26 votes in favour and 18 against, on a 53% turnout, and is set to be introduced in June. ABID estimates that a £2 city visitor charge could generate around £9.2m over two years, with £6.7m of this being used to bolster the city's visitor economy via a subvention fund.
This subvention could potentially translate into a total economic impact of £220m spent within the city's visitor economy, including accommodation and hospitality, based on the economic influence of other events supported by ABID, such as the Labour Party Conference. The remaining funds will be allocated towards destination marketing and supporting the visitor economy. In North Wales there has been opposition to plans to introduce a £1.25 levy on tourists
The £2 fee for visitors to Liverpool will be handled and administered by hotels and serviced accommodation, either upon guest check-in or at the end of their stay. The revenue generated from this charge would be managed by the Accommodation BID, a business improvement district overseen by hotels and serviced apartment providers in the city.
The business improvement district (BID) model stands out as the sole mechanism in England officially sanctioned to introduce an overnight charge. This model facilitates the collection of a levy based on specific government legislation, mandating a clearly defined and transparent business plan for the intended use of the raised funds, reports the Liverpool Echo.
ABID has clarified their stance, indicating that profits would be fed straight back into bolstering the visitor economy, fostering its expansion and sustainability by establishing a self-reinforcing visitor sector while alleviating burdens on public finances. The group envisions these funds aiding in the stimulation of business conferences, strategic destination marketing, and attracting key events to the city, which, in turn, catalyse overnight visits.
Since January 2023, the Accommodation BID kicked off its operations. Presently, establishments with a rateable value surmounting the £45,000 threshold contribute a levy.
Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, commented: "This £2 a night levy will be to help turbo charge Liverpool's tourism and visitor economy, helping the city attract bigger events who bring people to the city.
"The circular visitor economy is one that becomes sustainable, in that it is able to invest towards the aspects it needs to make itself successful.
"We have always said that the industry should have their say on whether they want this levy to come in, as they are administering it.
"The evidence of other European cities suggests this model will translate overnight stays into major investment, so that we can convert that into world-leading and world-beating events."
Marcus Magee, chair of ABID, commented: "This is a major step in enabling the hospitality sector to have a say and an influence in regards to the city's decision-making around the visitor economy, which is crucial to the vibrancy and economy of the city.
"The business improvement district structure allows for a clear and transparent approach to the use of investment".
Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for culture and visitor economy, Councillor Harry Doyle, expressed his approval: "The 'Yes' vote for an extension of the BID to create a visitor charge is a great vote of confidence in the growth of our successful visitor economy. I want to thank all the businesses that participated in the ballot.
"Their positive support delivers a huge boost to Liverpool's tourism sector and our major events programme, supporting jobs and investment to benefit local people, and showing how Liverpool continues to offer a warm welcome to visitors from around the world.
"This a positive step and lays solid foundations in our endeavour to formalise the establishment of a sustainable Tourism Tax, akin to what is being looked at in Glasgow and has already been introduced in other major European cities, which would be used to further strengthen our tourism offer."