Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Retailers join campaign against parking charges
FORFAR retailers have joined the campaign against parking charges in Angus and called for a council rethink on the proposed 15-minute period of grace.
Town centre retailers spoke of their “shock and surprise” when they learned of the introduction of charges on October 1, a plan they state is a “fait accompli”.
They fear the charges will force employees and shoppers to park in residential areas and supermarket car parks outside the town centre.
They also say the 15 minutes free parking should be doubled to 30 minutes, the “status quo” of current restrictions.
A Forfar Community Council survey of 59 retailers revealed nine out of 10 believed the charges would be bad for trade.
Katharine McLean of Andrew Begg on West High Street and Ray Bruce of Bruce Locksmith and Hardware on East High Street are part of an informal group of retailers which meets regularly to discuss issues.
Katharine said: “We found out about the introduction of parking charges by stealth. It felt like a fait accompli. We feel it will tangibly affect our income.
“I’m not saying the council shouldn’t charge for any parking — I realise they have a hole in their budget. We accept there has to be change, but there has been a lack of sensitivity to the pressure businesses are under.”
Councillor Angus Macmillan Douglas, the authority’s finance convener, said: “The introduction of parking charges will make an important contribution to the funding of vital services.”