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25/11/2010
Parking Charges Could Hit High Street Trade
Councils could kill off high street trade if they hike town centre parking charges, a small business support organisation has warned.
In recent months, local authorities across the UK have proposed hefty increases in the charges they impose on motorists for parking on streets and in council-owned car parks.
Areas affected include Burnley, Nottingham, Shrewsbury and Cornwall, and in some cases, increases of 150% have been tabled by town halls.
The councils involved claim the hikes are necessary in order to plug shortfalls in their budgets due to widespread cuts in local government funding.
However, the Forum of Private Business believes raising the rates could put small firms out of business as shoppers are driven away from the high street and towards out-of-town supermarkets and retail parks, which enjoy ample free parking.
The not-for-profit support organisation has also pointed out that the move will hit small traders at a time when they are facing the prospect of a potentially damaging downturn in trade next year, due to the forthcoming VAT rise.
The Forum’s head of campaigns, Jane Bennett, said: “Simply putting up parking charges might seem like an easy and convenient way for local authorities to plug their budget shortfalls.
“However, it could well prove to be a false economy as it will drive even more trade out of town centres, leading to more empty units, fewer visitors and lower amounts raised through business rates.”
“We would urge the councils who are proposing to push up their parking prices to think again and follow this example instead.”
The Forum has previously campaigned against the Workplace Parking Levy, which was initially introduced by Nottingham City Council but could now be implemented by other authorities around the UK.
The scheme involves charging town and city-centre businesses for parking spaces they provide for their staff.
In Nottingham, it will supposedly pay for transport infrastructure improvements but the Forum has argued that smaller firms can ill-afford yet another hefty tax in order to subsidise the incomes of their local councils.
(BMcN/GK)
In recent months, local authorities across the UK have proposed hefty increases in the charges they impose on motorists for parking on streets and in council-owned car parks.
Areas affected include Burnley, Nottingham, Shrewsbury and Cornwall, and in some cases, increases of 150% have been tabled by town halls.
The councils involved claim the hikes are necessary in order to plug shortfalls in their budgets due to widespread cuts in local government funding.
However, the Forum of Private Business believes raising the rates could put small firms out of business as shoppers are driven away from the high street and towards out-of-town supermarkets and retail parks, which enjoy ample free parking.
The not-for-profit support organisation has also pointed out that the move will hit small traders at a time when they are facing the prospect of a potentially damaging downturn in trade next year, due to the forthcoming VAT rise.
The Forum’s head of campaigns, Jane Bennett, said: “Simply putting up parking charges might seem like an easy and convenient way for local authorities to plug their budget shortfalls.
“However, it could well prove to be a false economy as it will drive even more trade out of town centres, leading to more empty units, fewer visitors and lower amounts raised through business rates.”
“We would urge the councils who are proposing to push up their parking prices to think again and follow this example instead.”
The Forum has previously campaigned against the Workplace Parking Levy, which was initially introduced by Nottingham City Council but could now be implemented by other authorities around the UK.
The scheme involves charging town and city-centre businesses for parking spaces they provide for their staff.
In Nottingham, it will supposedly pay for transport infrastructure improvements but the Forum has argued that smaller firms can ill-afford yet another hefty tax in order to subsidise the incomes of their local councils.
(BMcN/GK)
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Parking Enforcement 'Out of Control'
Growing parking enforcement in private car parks and the huge amounts of money being taken from drivers has reached 'epidemic' level, according to the AA. More than one in 10 drivers say they have been issued a private parking ticket over the last year and tens of thousands of people have had their car clamped or removed from private car parks.
16 March 2012
Rise In Hospital Parking Fees Criticised
New figures published have shown than more than a quarter of hospital trusts in England increased car parking charges for patients and visitors in the year to last April. While some cut prices, others more than doubled them, according to data from 197 hospitals and mental health trusts.
Rise In Hospital Parking Fees Criticised
New figures published have shown than more than a quarter of hospital trusts in England increased car parking charges for patients and visitors in the year to last April. While some cut prices, others more than doubled them, according to data from 197 hospitals and mental health trusts.
05 August 2013
65-Year-Old Bailed On Asda Carpark Manslaughter Charge
A man arrested in connection with the death of 64-year-old man in an Asda car park has been bailed. It is understood that the victim died in hospital on Sunday after sustaining head injuries when he was pushed to the ground during an argument in the supermarkets disabled parking area.
65-Year-Old Bailed On Asda Carpark Manslaughter Charge
A man arrested in connection with the death of 64-year-old man in an Asda car park has been bailed. It is understood that the victim died in hospital on Sunday after sustaining head injuries when he was pushed to the ground during an argument in the supermarkets disabled parking area.
16 September 2010
Hospital Parking Fees Here To Stay
The coalition government has announced that car parking charges for hospitals based in England are set to stay. The previous Labour administration had pushed to scrap parking fees for in-patients and regular out-patients, however the coalition agreed that there were better uses of public money than abolishing the charges.
Hospital Parking Fees Here To Stay
The coalition government has announced that car parking charges for hospitals based in England are set to stay. The previous Labour administration had pushed to scrap parking fees for in-patients and regular out-patients, however the coalition agreed that there were better uses of public money than abolishing the charges.
25 September 2008
'Metric Martyr' To Take On Parking Wardens
A man being dubbed the "metric martyr" is today launching a landmark legal challenge to ask for a judicial review into current parking laws.
'Metric Martyr' To Take On Parking Wardens
A man being dubbed the "metric martyr" is today launching a landmark legal challenge to ask for a judicial review into current parking laws.
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