Liverpool cruises: Row as Mersey city applies to upgrade from a 'port of call' to a 'turnaruond' terminal

Add to My Stories Share Liverpool cruise terminal has sparked a row by applying for permission to accept lucrative 'turnaround' journeys, making it a competitor for Southampton's business.The north-west city can currently only accept cruise ships as a 'port of call', but a 'turnaround' permit would enable vessels to begin and end their journeys there.The 'change of use' application would mean a boost to hotel stays and investment in car parking, baggage and passenger handling to cater for the influx of cruisers.

Cruise criticism: Liverpool wants to redevelop its terminal to allow ships to begin and end voyages in the city
But it would also mean stiff competition for Southampton port, which currently caters for 67 per cent of the cruise trade and is known as the cruise capital of northern Europe.Rumours surrounding the change have already put a planned fifth terminal at the South Coast port, costing around 30m, in danger.Harwich in Essex, the UK's third biggest cruise port, would also lose business, particularly as Liverpool's terminal is ideally placed close to the city centre.
The Mersey city has applied before for a 'turnaround' permit, but it was rejected by the Labour Government as giving an unfair advantage.Liverpool's cruise terminal was built using public funds and EU grants, whereas other ports in the UK rely on private investment to develop their industry.However, the Department for Transport has launched a consultation following an offer by Liverpool city council - the owner of the terminal - to repay 5.3m of the 20m grant over the next 15 years.

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Royston Sm! ith, Sou thampton's Labour leader added: 'It's big business, and Liverpool want a slice of it and I don't blame them. But you can't use public money to take on a private company. It's simply not right.' The UK's cruise industry is worth 2bn and giving a port a 'turnaround' permit could inject an extra 2m per ship into the local economy, once things like hotel stays and car parking charges are taken into account.