‘Charge people to see the Lights’ - You have your say on tourism tax proposal for Blackpool

But hoteliers leaders in the resort have given a firm ‘no’ to the idea - which they say would just add another burden to small businesses.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which acts as a national voice for local authorities, says introducing a hotel tax similar to those imposed in places like Venice and Barcelona could raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for cash-strapped councils.

It wants the government to give town halls the power to raise their own tourism levy if they wish to do so.

We asked for your views on our Facebook page:

"In Spain this seems to work well and the money goes to help improve the area, (it’s the holidaymakers who pay the tax). Sadly some people go on holiday and leave a mess in their wake and this puts a burden on the council who are on a limited budget. If they do it on a similar cost basis to Spain then the cost is small and under 16s do not pay. Having said that they need to ensure the money goes back into the areas to improve facilities for locals as well as tourists."

Carole Fitzsimons

"Anywhere you go in Europe you pay a ‘tourist’ tax to the hotel. Generally between 1.5 and four euros a night and this is decided locally. The bigger cities tend to charge more.This is something I’ve long thought we should have introduced in the UK."

Pat Thompson

"Am I correct in saying that Blackpool Council taxpayers already contribute towards the illuminations? The solution is to charge visitors who come to see the lights £5 per car and coaches £40.."

Peter Ian Mowbray

"Yeah, let’s spank the very people keeping the town afloat.Oh and while were at it let’s issue them tickets for littering when a crumb from their sausage role falls to the ground under the barrage from the seagulls."

Peter Lane

"They should charge every car that goes through the illuminations and get rid of the donation thing and locals just prove their address for free access through."

Cheryl Jeffrey

"The governments & councils are taxing everything they can think of, about time there was a massive cull on civil servants before the country ends up fully bankrupt."

Kev Harrison

"Air B & B are making huge inroads into Blackpools holiday industry, they let the whole house, how does the council check how many people to charge the tax?"

Roger Goodred

"All hotels abroad have a local town tax on top of your room price. Normally about €1 a day."

Petra Jackson

"Many town and cities have it and works well. Why should Blackpool be any different?"

Simon Kilby

"This will be the final nail in the coffin for many B&B owners who’s margins are so minimal anyway.Bad idea in so many ways."

Lesley Sargeant