Parking charge hike ‘driving away trade’

Parking charge hike ‘driving away trade’

14 November 2018

DOWNPATRICK traders have claimed increased parking tariffs are driving shoppers away from the town centre.

The claim was made last week during the first in a series of roadshows organised by Newry, Mourne and Down Council to discuss the controversial issue of hiking parking charges in the town and Ballynahinch by 200 per cent.

While there are growing calls for a public meeting to discuss the issue, local authority officials insist that while such an event could take place, the current initiative aimed at providing ratepayers with an opportunity to make known their views must run its course first.

Council officials recently unveiled details of a three-pronged approach as part of a detailed consultation exercise on an issue which has angered many within the business community.

Alongside planned public roadshows in Downpatrick, Newcastle, Ballynahinch, Castlewellan and Saintfield, council officials are also launching an online user survey.

In addition, data from car parks which experienced a 200 per cent price increase in the spring is being collated to determine the full impact the increase has had on the number of people using it.

The first of the series of roadshows was held in Downpatrick last week, with traders revealing that the increased charges has coincided with a “dramatic reduction” in footfall.

While the local authority has defended its decision to increase parking charges, insisting the move is necessary to generate additional revenue as it has been handed responsibility for the maintenance of 80 car parks across the Newry, Mourne and Down area, traders say the hike must be shelved.

Downpatrick councillor Gareth Sharvin is urging the businesses community, residents and visitors to get involved in the car park pricing consultation.

He has been an ardent critic of the increase and persuaded the local authority to seek the views of ratepayers, given that the increase was taken without public consultation.

Despite opposition from some of his council colleagues, Cllr Sharvin secured support for a proposal to review the increased charges to help ensure Downpatrick was able to attract shoppers and investment to the town.

He said the message was clear from the first of last week’s roadshows held at the Down Arts Centre that increased parking charges were having a negative impact on trade.

“The business community highlighted a dramatic reduction in footfall and sales and made the case for the charges to return to their previous level to encourage shoppers back into the town centre to save businesses and jobs,” continued Cllr Sharvin.

“It is vitality important that everyone makes their voice heard on this crucial issue.

“But the impact of the parking charge hike is not limited to the footfall in the town centre and reduced sales. It is also impacting on residents being able to park outside their homes, particularly in the Irish Street, Fountain Street and Saul Street areas.”

Cllr Sharvin believes the combined voices of the business community and residents can see the charges reduced to their previous level to “support the economical sustainability of Downpatrick town centre.”

He is also encouraging people to complete the online survey or pick up a paper copy from the council offices at the Downshire Civic Centre.

Cllr Sharvin confirmed he has also asked council officials to survey the condition of its three car parks in Downpatrick, suggesting the surface in Irish Street is “particularly poor.”

Downpatrick councillor, Dermot Curran, has also expressed concern about the impact of the increased charges and believes the increasing concern is exactly the kind of issue a traders’ group in the town should be addressing.

He added: “The town needs a thriving business organisation to help with its continued economic regeneration and to discuss issues like increased parking charges. Such a body would provide the business community with a much-needed voice on a range of important issues.”

The series of roadshows to discuss parking charges moved to The Lodge in Castlewellan and the Newcastle Centre last night and takes place next Tuesday, November 20, at Ballynahinch’s Market House between 5.30pm and 6.30pm, before later moving to The Hub in Saintfield between 8pm and 9pm.