City's hotel guests face £2-a-night tourist tax

It is hoped the tax will raise around £1m annually

Visitors to a historic city could soon be asked to pay a £2-a-night tourist tax fee on top of their hotel bill.

Tourism and business leaders want to charge guests at Chester's 27 hotels the £2 fee, plus VAT, per room per night.

The aim is to raise £1m annually to invest in tourism events, festivals and improved visitor services.

Hoteliers will be balloted in June and July over the proposal.

Tourist bosses say visitor numbers to the city are rising again but have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels.

'Game-changing investment'

The scheme is part of a bigger initiative to establish a five-year business plan for the new Accomodation Business Improvement District (ABID) in Chester.

“The Chester Accommodation BID offers the potential for a game-changing investment in our city’s visitor economy." said Colin Potts, chair of Destination Chester, which represents the city's attractions and businesses.

He added the funding raised from the levy could "energise" the city's recovery.

Steven Hesketh, chair of the Chester Hospitality Association, said the plan was "the only game in town."

A similar charge for Manchester's ABID raised more than £2.8m in the first year with a charge of £1 per night.