Liverpool BID Company launches £10m fund via its Accommodation BID to support events such as major conferences and exhibitions that drive overnight stays in the city’s hotels. Tony McDonough reports
A £10m fund to attract major events to Liverpool city centre has been unveiled by Liverpool BID Company.
Run via the Accommodation BID, one of three Liverpool BIDs run by the organisation, the fund will look in particular to support major conferences, expos and exhibitions that drive overnight stays in city hotels rather than just day visitors.
This fund has been generated from the overnight £2 per room per night visitor charge that was introduced in June 2025 following a ballot of hotels and other accommodation providers in the city centre.
The future of that charge is in doubt when the current scheme expires in December 2027. City region Mayor Steve Rotheram is keen to introduce his own so-called “tourist tax”. The BID has urged the Government to reconsider this proposal.
Almost £7m of this new BID fund is forecast to be spent on major events, £1m will be invested in destination marketing and the remaining funds will be invested in visitor economy support.
Liverpool BID Company chief executive Bill Addy said: “We have a clear objective in attracting events that drive overnight stays. We know that daytrippers are increasing, but it is that overnight market, which spends more in the visitor economy, we have to target.
“There is real value in targeting investment on direct visitor activity, helping money flow into the city economy from overnight stays, food and drink, retail, and the wider supply chain in hospitality.
“This creates a more sustainable and stable visitor economy. Relying on a seasonal visitor economy means more seasonal jobs and potentially wider youth unemployment. If we have a sustainable year-round visitor economy, we have a more stable path of investment and security”.
Through what is called a subvention fund, the existing levy has already contributed to events in the city, including the Labour Party Conference, World Chess Championships and World Boxing Championships.
In July last year, Liverpool’s hotels saw their highest occupancy rate for a month, with the city ranking in the top 20 for occupancy rates over weekends globally in 2025. Tourism is annually worth £6.2bn to Liverpool city region.
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Accommodation BID chair Marcus Magee added: “This fund is about creating a sustainable partnership between the Accommodation BID, accommodation sector and the visitor economy.
“We know that this is a successful private sector led initiative, enabling a circular economy where we can generate investment from overnight stays. This allows us to have a marker of success, but it also allows for a strong economy.”