Tory District Council set to increase parking charges by 10%
(Reported in the Matlock Mercury on Thursday 7th January 2010 – Article here)
Charges are set to increase by ten per cent at council-run car parks, with traders fearing the price hike could deter shoppers.
Derbyshire Dales District Council hopes £148,000 will be generated by the proposed increases as it bids to balance the council revenue budget – but business bosses say the move will affect tourism and trade.
Shirley Johnson, secretary of Matlock Business Group, said: “We need all the help we can get at the moment and we certainly don’t need a price increase. This would not be helpful for traders.”
Roger Lownsbrough, chairman of Bakewell Chamber of Trade, added: “This will be greeted with amazement and disappointment. I think it speaks volumes about the imagination and understanding that the council have got about the problems we face.”
District council officers are recommending new fees are brought in from April 1 to keep pace with inflation. Charges were due to be increased last year but because of the financial climate that increase was deferred. Charges were last increased in 2006.
Traders have also called for more short-stay parking fees in a bid to to increase the turn-over of shoppers.
District Councillor Collin Swindell, who is manager of Cornerstone shop, in Bakewell, said he had received complaints from concerned traders.
He added: “Everybody is literally crying out for a break. This is just another blow.
“It’s not just traders I’ve had complaints from, customers have said it is easier to go to Peak Village or Meadow Hall where there is no charge. It is deterring tourism and deterring trade.”
The review of charges is set to be discussed in Matlock Town Hall on Thursday, January 14.
