Liverpool Lib Dems Launch their "Plan for Scran" in the face of Labour’s Hospitality Tax

• Lib Dems brand Labour’s new night-time parking charges a hospitality tax.
• Lib Dems put forward a new plan to champion Liverpool’s night-time economy and fair treatment of staff.
• Concerns raised by workers, as some say they ‘don’t feel safe’ and are prepared to quit jobs due to Labour’s hospitality tax.

Liverpool Liberal Democrats have called on the Labour Administration to pump the brakes and bring back free evening parking in the City Centre, after Labour ignored residents' feedback and scrapped it anyway. 

The consultation run by Liverpool City Council found that 90% of responses opposed their plans to scrap the free parking after 6pm.

The Lib Dems say their proposal, the “Plan for Scran”, aims to reverse what Cllr Carl Cashman called “Labour’s neglect of Liverpool’s evening economy” and to bring people back to the city centre in the evenings on Monday to Thursday. 

Their first big step is scrapping Labour’s hospitality tax by bringing back free evening parking after 6pm. This will help bring in visitors but also make sure hospitality workers, especially young women, who rely on cars to get home after late shifts feel safer.

The Lib Dems say they would work with Independent Liverpool, Liverpool BID and other partners to create a “Midweek Scran Pass” promoting the best offers available from independent cafes, restaurants and bars from Monday to Thursday.

They want to bring the city alive on midweek evenings with “Culture & Scran Events”, showcasing the best of local talent in art, street performance and live music from across the city.

The Lib Dems say the plan will boost footfall during the quieter part of the week, support independent local businesses, and stand up for the workers who keep its night-time economy thriving.

Cllr Carl Cashman, Liverpool Lib Dem Leader, said:

“It’s completely unfair.

“Labour are throwing up barriers to people so that they don’t come into the city centre, but the Liverpool Lib Dems want to give them lots of reasons why they should. 

“This hospitality tax is going to hit hospitality workers making minimum wage or just above. Not to mention the knock on effect it’s going to have on our independent bars, restaurants and cafes. They’ve already been hit with a national insurance rise from April 1st by the Labour government, now they are going to face having fewer customers as diners, drinkers and gig-goers are put off by the new parking charges.

“How many small businesses are Labour going to kill off in Liverpool?” 

Cllr Rob McAllister-Bell, Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet member for a Business Friendly City, said: 

“If you work in a bar, finish at midnight, or want a spontaneous midweek scran you shouldn’t be penalised for it.”

“We’ve heard from musicians who say that they need to drive in to get their equipment to gigs but now they are going have to pay for parking, they aren’t sure it is worth gigging anymore. Not to mention, four doormen who handed their notices in because the new charges are a tax on their wages they can’t afford - one them hit the nail on the head and said ‘This is going to do massive harm in the City Centre’.

“We’re proud to support the people and places that make Liverpool’s city centre vibrant, not just at the weekend, but every day of the week.”

“The Lib Dems are backing for the “Plan for Scran” and calling on the council to scrap the charges and back the city's hospitality sector.”