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Don't price any more shoppers out of town
FURIOUS Poulton traders are demanding council bosses re-think plans to introduce car parking hikes in the town centre.
Wyre Council is reviewing the town's car parking, including the Teanlowe Centre, which could see a raise in fees from 1.10 for two hours to 1.40.
But George McCaffer, chairman of Poulton Traders' Association and manager of Village Walks Shopping Centre, fears any hikes could push shoppers out of town and into retail parks.
He said every time parking charges increase, the number of shoppers visiting Poulton falls by up to a quarter.
Mr McCaffer added: "There are people laying employees off because of the footfall in Poulton. Poulton is a wonderful place, people do come here but they won't if the car parking goes up. Cleveleys and Fleetwood have got holidaymakers there and bigger chains.
"We are a beautiful, rural village but we haven't got the same advantages. We should be a special case for a reduction in parking rather than a rise."
Traders are now calling for Wyre Council leaders to follow the lead of Village Walks and the Teanlowe Centre, which have frozen their rents in a bid to help traders in the current economic climate. He also suggested a 20-minute free parking scheme to encourage shoppers who just want to pick up a few goods.
Coun Barry Birch, chairman of the Poulton Councillors' Group, has been working with traders to find parking solutions and said they have successfully asked the council to improve access to car parking spaces for resident permit holders by removing the R bays.
They have also requested a reduction in the cost of renewing the Resident Parking Permit from 25 down to 10.
He said: "I would hope the council will take notice of the traders' concerns and limit the pending increase in car parking charges to the bare minimum.
"The traders also feel it would be beneficial to introduce a new one hour tariff that would help shoppers who do not have a permit to be able to pop in for the odd purchase."
The council says the proposed change to the tariff is one of several options being considered as part of a review of its car parking strategy, which should come into force later this year.
A spokesman said: "All aspects of our car park operations are being looked into, including the monthly season tickets, residents' permits and the possibility of scrapping the R bay system.
"We are also preparing a series of questionnaires, which will allow us to consult with the public about their car parking experiences. The details of these have yet to be finalised.
"In the meantime we will continue to meet with traders and forums to discuss their concerns."
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 27 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
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