Manchester’s new so-called ‘tourist tax’ has raised nearly £3 million during its first year, it has been revealed.
In case you weren’t aware, on 1 April 2023, after widespread rumours and following a vote in favour of the new initiative back in autumn 2022, a ‘City Visitor Charge’ was officially introduced here in Manchester, and it means that anyone visiting has to pay to stay in the majority of the city’s accommodation facilities.
The City Visitor Charge is a supplementary £1 charge per room/unit per night for guests, and it’s added to the final accommodation bill.
The charge is currently being collected from 73 hotels and serviced apartments that fall within the Manchester ABID Zone.
The Manchester ABID Zone was established as the Manchester Accommodation Business Improvement District (BID) began its operations on the same date as the introduction of the City Visitor Charge last year, and it’s the first initiative of its kind in the UK.
Manchester’s new ‘tourist tax’ has raised nearly £3 million in its first year / Credit: Marketing Manchester | Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
The pioneering initiative – which is led by Manchester’s hotel and serviced apartment providers – was formed as part of a push to keep occupancy rates high in the city amid fears that visitor numbers were not keeping pace with new developments, as more and more tourist hotels and apartments are built across the region.
Manchester ABID’s main aim is to “deliver better visitor experiences” and drive more staying visitors to the city centre.
When the City Visitor Charge was introduced, Manchester ABID said it would use the funds raised to carry out a number of measures in the city that will ultimately contribute to driving tourists and overnight stays – including marketing campaigns, securing large-scale events, conferences, and festivals in low-season months, and improving overall street cleanliness.
And it sounds like that’s exactly what the almost £2.8 million raised from the Charge within its first year has gone towards.
Funds from the Charge have so far been spent on street cleaning, marketing campaigns, and more / Credit: Manchester City Council
Kumar Mishra, who is the chairman of Manchester Accommodation BID, said the raised from the Charge within its first year has funded a campaign to boost stays during “traditionally lower occupancy months”.
Mr Mishra said “big plans” were emerging within the next year to make sure the city centre is even more attractive to visitors.
Featured Image – Marketing Manchester
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Major Co-op Live concert cancelled with fans already inside venue
Daisy Jackson
Major Co-op Live gig Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled this evening – after fans had already entered the venue.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO were set to perform the second of two nights at the huge Manchester venue tonight, as part of their final UK tour.
The Over and Out Tour should have been taking place on both the 9 and 10 July before heading to London’s BST Hyde Park Festival on Sunday.
But the show has been cancelled minutes before the legendary band were due to take to the stage.
Fans had already taken their seats inside the massive Co-op Live Arena when the news broke that the gig would not be able to take place ‘due to illness’.
77-year-old Jeff Lynne himself, who recently broke his hand in an accident, is said to be ‘devastated’ that he is unable to perform.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled at Co-op Live
A statement from the band said: “Unfortunately due to illness tonight’s (Thursday 10th July 2025) scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Co-Op Live will not be going ahead.
“Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening.
“More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds please go to your point of purchase.”
According to fans, audiences inside Co-op Live were told the show was cancelled with just 45 minutes to go.
One person wrote: “The concert that never was. Cancelled with 45mins to go. Get well soon Jeff Lynne.”
Literally mins after this picture was taken Jeff Lynn cancelled 😞 @JeffLynnesELO Broke his hand a few days ago and has played the best he can and well done to you ! But then decides to cancel 2nd night n Manchester very last minute ! But it’s ok just ask for a refund !!! 😡 pic.twitter.com/wv1JfWPwk5
Andy Burnham reveals plans to build underground tram and train line in Manchester by 2050
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has announced some ambitious long-term plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester.
As Greater Manchester sets its sights on a new era of economic growth, on the way to becoming a ‘second city’ to rival any other on the planet by 2050, Mayor Andy Burnham shared the city region’s blueprint for a ‘greener, fairer future’ this week – with underground transport plans being right the heart of it.
Mr Burnham says his vision for the next decade is to create a ‘thriving’ city region where everyone can ‘live a good life’.
Andy Burnham reveals plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester / Credit: TfGM
But it’s public transport where it seems some of the most significant changes are set to be made before 2050 arrives.
The Mayor revealed plans for new bus routes, tramlines, and train stations to connect ‘thriving communities’ across the city region with an integrated lower-cost transport system that’ll help more people get out and access new opportunities.
Construction of a tram stop to service new homes at Victoria North will also start by 2028, it has been confirmed, while work to bring Metrolink to Stockport – which has already been announced to huge support – will begin by 2030.
Two commuter rail lines will join the Bee Network next December as well, with another six joining by 2028.
GM is growing fast.
We will expand @BeeNetwork over the next decade to meet the needs of our bigger economy.
BUT
There’s a limit to what we can do on a congested surface.
It’s why I am asking TfGM to start planning for an underground for GM around a remodelled Piccadilly. pic.twitter.com/k2ozNWw6Wj
The headline-grabbing announcement, though, has to be that Mr Burnham has also announced plans to unlock ‘transformative’ investment in transport infrastructure, so that by 2050, Manchester Piccadilly has an underground tram and train station with a high-speed rail link to Liverpool.
He’s also looking to boost regeneration of the surrounding area, effectively making it ‘the Kings Cross of the North’.
“We’re the UK’s fastest growing economy and stand on the cusp of what I believe could be our best decade since the Victorian era,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham, “and our task for the next decade is to build a platform for success for all our residents.
“Our vision is ambitious, but in my eight years as Mayor, I’ve learned that, when we pull together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.
“There’s a long and proud tradition of collaboration in Greater Manchester. Devolution has turbocharged that and now we’re ready to deliver a new model of growth where no one is left behind.”
Emily Sergeant -
9th April 2024 
