Angry business leaders say Shrewsbury’s retail economy could be ‘destroyed forever’ after controversial plans to increase parking charges by up to 33 per cent were passed.
In the parking strategy approved at a Shropshire Council Cabinet meeting last week, charges at two of the town’s biggest car parks will rise by 14 and 33 per cent from April.
The main Frankwell car park, which holds 720 vehicles, will see its all-day parking charge rise from £3.50 to £4 and St Julian’s Friars will see a hike from £3 to £4, as well as proposals to introduce a short-stay tariff.
Critics say the parking rise, coupled with the VAT increase to hit traders in the New Year, could prove ‘disastrous’ to the local economy.
Simon Airey, president of Shrewsbury Business Chamber, said: “It was inevitable that this was going to happen because Shropshire Council is strapped for cash but it’s quite a huge increase and could potentially be another disastrous blow to retail in Shrewsbury.
“Shopping and retail is the jewel in Shrewsbury’s crown and one false move in this current climate and the retail economy could be destroyed forever. Every single time customers are turned away and driven out of town because of increased parking charges it is another reason for the big supermarkets to rub their hands together.”
John Hall, chairman of Shop in the Loop, said the implications were worrying for traders and that it was a ‘pretty colossal’ hike which could act as a disincentive for shoppers.
“Shops in Shrewsbury are brilliant but they do seem to be competing with one hand behind their backs because it isn’t a level playing field between the town centre and the retail parks where you can park for free,” he added.
As part of the new strategy and in a move welcomed by business leaders, evening car-parking charges will be scrapped from 6pm in a bid to boost the town’s night-time economy.
Shropshire Council was unavailable to comment as the Chronicle went to press.
By David Seadon