A “tourist tax” in Liverpool will go ahead as planned on 1 June despite an appeal to the Secretary of State against the validity of the ballot which led to the decision.
The £2-per-night-per-room fee will be payable by hotels with a rateable value of £45,000 or more and, under the plan, they may choose to pass this on to guests or tour operators.
The change in how hotels contribute towards the city’s Accommodation Business Improvement District plan was made as late as 24 April following a vote of eligible hotels.
Just days before the new fee structure was due to be applied, a group of hoteliers lodged an appeal to void the result of the ballot, campaign group Against BID told routeone. “Alleged material irregularities” which may have affected the result are claimed.
However, a statement from Liverpool BID Company on 30 May declared the new visitor charge arrangements would proceed as planned.
It adds: “If your intention was to make use of the visitor charge mechanism, there is no reason why you should not do so simultaneously.
“To confirm, we have both taken independent advice and clarified the position with the local authority and the Ministry. All have confirmed that the guidance we are providing is correct in the circumstances and consistent with both the BID (Business Improvement District) regulations and government guidance.”
In the disputed ballot of the 83 eligible establishments held by Liverpool Business Improvement District Company and Liverpool City Council, 26 hotels voted for the £2 per night levy and 18 against, with one invalid vote.
The launch of a visitor charge in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole was put on hold last summer due to a similar challenge. In January, the government declared void the vote that led to that fee’s introduction.
Visitor charges have been controversial in the coach tourism sector. Some coach operators object particularly where insufficient notice is given. They fear unexpected costs for tours for which they have already taken bookings.
Skills Holidays, which has a tour to Liverpool lined up on 13 June, told routeone it did not consider the charge set to be imposed by the hotel it is using to be an issue. It is planning to absorb the charge rather than bill customers extra.
