Stoke-on-Trent businesses hit out at city council's parking charges
MOTORISTS have paid out more than £700,000 to park on Sundays and evenings since a cash-strapped council implemented the controversial charges.
But despite the additional revenue, Stoke-on-Trent City Council still needs to make almost £2 million from its pay-and-display facilities to match the budget target.
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The city council needs to make almost £2 million from its pay-and display facilities such as Huntbach Street (Lower) car park.
City centre business owners have criticised the continuing Sunday and night-time charges, claiming the controversial scheme is damaging footfall.
In April 2010 the authority rolled out the flat-rate evening charge – which runs from 6pm until 7am – before reintroducing a Sunday fee a year later.
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Since then the authority has made £501,780 from the evening tariff with £212,768 coming from Sundays.
Sydney Rebolo manager of Portofino Italian restaurant, in Marsh Street, said: "There aren't a lot of things to bring people in to the city centre in the evening apart from a few restaurants and the theatre.
"People need a reason to come in to Hanley in the evening and parking charges will only put people off."
Marcela Oxa, who is manager of Cheapside-based restaurant La Bella Napoli, has asked the city council for parking spaces outside her business.
She said: "I got in contact with the council to inquire about the possibility of setting up some parking spaces along Cheapside to give my customers somewhere to park.
"They looked into it and said it would be done at the end of September, but nothing has happened.
"My customers will often comment about the charges in the evening and the trouble they have parking.
"We get quite a few people who have visited the theatre and complain about the amount of time it takes to get on and off the multi-storey on St John Street.
"With the bus station being built, people struggle to find somewhere safe to park and don't want to have to pay too. It's putting people off."
Shopper Natalie Moseley, aged 24, who is a mother-of-two from Sneyd Green, is less opposed to the charges, but wants to see a standard rate applied.
She said: "I don't mind paying so long as I know my car is safe.
"I don't agree with all the different charges in the city centre, I think there should be a standard set fare."
Between April and November last year the authority made £2.3 million from its pay-and-display car parks.
However, the council is hoping to make a total of £4.2 million by April.
Councillor Ruth Rosenau, cabinet member for transportation, said: "Wider economic matters, such as rising petrol prices, have also had an effect on revenue as more people are choosing to leave their cars at home and either walk or use public transport.
"We are reviewing the level of demand and revenue generated at all Stoke-on-Trent's public car parks.
"We will use this information to put together a robust strategy in relation to car parking in order to improve facilities and income, and ensure that car parking supports the local economy."
Comments
by Biker
Thursday, January 10 2013, 3:47PM
“I used to visit pubs and restaurants in Burslem before the council brought in evening parking charges. Burslem now is dead, pubs and restaurants are struggling to attract customers yet stoke city council still charge to park on empty streets (which motorists pay for through road tax). You could'nt make it up !
Why not allow businesses to refund the cost of the parking ticket and claim it back if the customer makes a purchase ? It works on Asda, Argos etc in Tunstall.”
by stevenweiss
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 10:48PM
“They charge for parking at night in Stoke? I shan't go there.”
by nobbynextdoor
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 6:59PM
“You can put as much parking as you like on cheapside, we've had it before. You will need a map publishing and directions how to get there and then you couldn't guarantee it will be reserved for the restaurant customers.”
by mommanoesbest
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 5:21PM
“Well to get on a train and go anywhere for someone who is disabled is not that straightforward. Also the last time I went to Birmingham in December resulted in £8 to park at the station on top of the £20 + train fare. Then walking around Birmingham is no joke either. Hanley may not be the best, but if we don't use it, we'll lose it and then what will happen?”
by lagu2
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 2:02PM
“Why would you want to visit Hanley on a Sunday ( or any other time for that matter ) , get in a car,bus or train and goto to Manchester,Birmingham or the Trafford Centre, or even better use the web to find a farmers market ( which we could all do with even if it would be in hanley on a regular basis ). what is there in hanley bookies,take ways,dirty pubs,charity shops,empty shops and discount stores. and don't forget the night before with all the litter,vomit and half eaten take aways. Hanley is just a mess. we have to go into hanley due to the fact we live in hanley but we regulary get a train to many main places, so i don't have to drive and i can have a beer with lunch.
Use this to find farmers markets or local food places instead of over priced bad quality supermarkets
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