Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram joins metro mayors in lobbying Government for the right to impose a ‘visitor levy’ – but does that mean visitors to Liverpool would end up paying twice? Tony McDonough reports

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram is joining other Metro Mayors in seeking devolved powers allowing them to introduce a ‘visitor levy’ on people visiting their regions.

Mr Rotheram claims a Liverpool city region visitor levy could raise almost £11m a year that could be used to help fund major events. Mayors of Greater Manchester, London, the North East, the West Midlands and West Yorkshire have also joined the call.

However, a £2 a night charge for overnight visitors to Liverpool city centre is already about to be implemented this month. Hoteliers and accommodation providers who are members of the Accommodation BID (ABID) voted in favour of the charge earlier this year.

LBN has asked both Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (CA) and Liverpool BID Company whether there could be two separate levies for visitors to Liverpool or whether there will be just one.

The CA said: “If Mayors are granted the power to impose a levy that would supersede the BID levy – it’s not about charging people twice.”

LBN understands if a proposal by the CA to introduce a visitor levy the city council would support this rather than the ABID levy. However, such a proposal is still likely some way off.

A spokesperson for the BID Company told LBN its current £2 visitor levy will be subject to a fresh ballot of accommodation providers. If they voted in favour again it would be in place for a further five years.

“For the ABID it’s all about making sure those funds are invested into the visitor economy. It’s what we’re calling a circular visitor economy method, so the funds raised go into driving and supporting the visitor economy, encouraging more overnight stays, more events and conferences,” they added.

Mr Rotheram said: “Liverpool city region is a global icon of creativity, culture, and character – attracting more than 60m visitors every year and supporting a £6.25bn visitor economy. That’s something to be incredibly proud of – but it also comes with pressures on our infrastructure and services.

“A small charge on overnight stays – the kind most of us wouldn’t think twice about when travelling abroad – would give us the power to reinvest directly into the things that make our area so special.

“From unforgettable events to the everyday essentials that support them, it’s about keeping our region vibrant, competitive and ready to welcome the world.”

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In a united statement, the Mayors urged the Government to consider including enabling legislation in the forthcoming English Devolution Bill or a specific Finance Bill.

This would give local authorities the freedom to design and introduce a locally administered visitor levy. Funds raised through a visitor levy would be ring-fenced for local reinvestment. Potential areas of focus include:

• Supporting major cultural and sporting events.
• Enhancing infrastructure that visitors and local people rely on.
• International marketing to boost global competitiveness.
• Collaboration with devolved nations to promote the UK as a unified tourism destination.
• Skills development and business growth programmes.