Car parking price increases “will hurt independent traders”, insists Councillor |
The Labour-controlled City Council risks jeopardising the livelihoods of small, independent retailers in Earlsdon if they increase the cost of car parking in the area, according to Councillor Allan Andrews (Con, Earlsdon Ward.)
The Council has recently announced its intention to increase car parking charges in the city, in some cases by 150%. Some short stay prices are remaining the same for now, but the Council has said that a review of charges will be conducted in 2011. Councillor Allan Andrews believes the Council should rule out increasing charges in Earlsdon’s Warwick Street car park to show support for independent retailers, many of whom are are using innovative measures in an effort to attract shoppers to the area, such as the recent “Earlsdon-on-Sea” event organised by the Earlsdon Traders Association.
Commenting on the car parking charges furore, Councillor Allan Andrews said: “At the moment, the Council is proposing to hike up car parking charges in some city centre car parks but my concern is around the review they are planning to hold next year and the potential impact this could have on Earlsdon's businesses.
“They could take the opportunity now to show some support for small businesses in my ward, many of whom are engaged in promoting the area in quirky ways. They have done a tremendous job to survive in the tough economic climate we have experienced recently and the Council should show its support by ruling out increasing the cost of parking at the Warwick Street car park, which plays a critical role in reducing demand for on street parking in Earlsdon."
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