Businesses in Liverpool are being asked to vote on a tourist tax. The ballot opens on March 27th to introduce a £2 overnight levy.
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00:00A vote is to be held asking hospitality businesses in Liverpool city centre if
00:05they wish to adopt a new tourism based levy. A proposed £2 a night charge on
00:10visitors to Liverpool could help to scale up its events and help the city
00:14compete on the international stage. That's the message from the city's hotel
00:18and cultural sector as it prepares to vote on the levy as part of the city's
00:22accommodation bid. The so-called tourist tax could be in place by June.
00:25Administered and managed by Liverpool's accommodation bid it could see £6
00:29million invested into the city's visitor economy, public realm and events
00:34calendar. If successful the term would begin on the 1st of June lasting until
00:402027. One of the ambitions is to use the funds generated by the charge to support
00:46major events in the city. These attract a national and international audience,
00:50increase footfall and the profile of Liverpool as well as encouraging longer
00:55stays and visits to the city. Chief Executive of National Museums Liverpool
00:59Laura Pye said she believes the levy could see more investment in the city's
01:03cultural sector. She said it would allow us to do some of the biggest stuff we
01:08want to do in the city. She continued you have to keep investing to keep
01:11Liverpool on the front foot as a great destination. Liverpool City Council's
01:17organised the ballot for the four weeks leading up to and including the day of
01:21ballot on Thursday 24th of April. All of those businesses which will be covered
01:26by the amended levy if approved will be entitled to vote in the ballot and will
01:31receive ballot papers. The council will hold the ballot in accordance with the
01:35legal requirements and has appointed Civica electoral services to deliver it
01:40on the council's behalf. The ballot will be taken entirely by post.