Car-parking plan ‘bad for business’
Business owners in a Christchurch suburban shopping area are upset at plans to drastically reduce the number of car parks outside their stores.
The Christchurch City Council wants to improve the streetscape on a section of Selwyn St, between Brougham and Coronation streets, and plans to install cycle lanes, street furniture, 18 new trees, rubbish bins and cycle stands.
The work would cut the number of car parks on Selwyn St by 70 per cent, from 23 to seven.
Business owners say there are not enough parks now and the area needs more not fewer.
‘‘Taking them away will have a devastating effect on the business,’’ Selwyn Superette owner Harbhajan Singh said.
Most of his customers arrived by car and he feared they would not stop if they could not find a park nearby.
‘‘I can’t see the logic behind it.’’
The council is consulting with the public before making a final decision on its plans. Its discussion document said the proposed upgrade aimed to make the area a more prosperous, attractive place for people to visit, spend time and do business in.
The document said the proposed changes reduced the number of parking spaces from 55 to 36, a 34 per cent reduction, but it has included parking on adjoining streets as well as Selwyn St.
Pies and Coffee cafe co-owner Sarah Lim said many of her customers popped in on their way to work and did not have time to park on an adjoining street to access her bakery.
Skinners Accountants and Advisors owner Stephen Skinner, who also owns property in the block, said he wanted the council to retain the majority of the parking.
‘‘It’s nice enough to put things in and make it pretty, but it needs to be viable from a business perspective.’’