Councillor’s plea for cheaper car parks to help town
CALLS have been made for cheaper town centre parking as businesses are on their knees following the lockdown.
David Brookes, who sits on Staffordshire County Council, is calling for a review of parking charges in Uttoxeter as he believes it is putting people off visiting.
Parking at East Staffordshire Borough Council car parks costs the same as in Burton, but Councillor Brookes argues that the two towns have very different offerings.
He adds that many people just “pop” into Uttoxeter, but do not want to pay for two hours’ parking for a short trip.
There are also retail parks on the edge of the town which offer free parking, which many people prefer to take advantage of rather than going into the centre.
The councillor said: “The economy of the two towns is very different and, unfortunately, while Uttoxeter is a wider rural area, it hasn’t got the national shops that Burton enjoys. It’s more to park in Uttoxeter than in Hanley, in Stoke. I’m aghast by it.
“As we come out of Covid, many businesses have struggled to reopen and they are all on their knees.
“I recognise that car parks cost money to operate but there has to be a degree of caution. I accept it needs to find ways to manage its income and this is one way but to charge for parking in Uttoxeter the same as Burton is wrong.
“People just pop into town quickly and then do their bits and leave. That’s what happens in a market town.
“We are very fortunate in our retail offering in the town. It gives me great concern. I’ve a passion for Uttoxeter as it is the town where I was brought up.
“I really want to know why they haven’t spread this so it works for
Uttoxeter. Uttoxeter is a great town and so is Burton, but they are quite different experience.”
He is now calling for a parking review to be launched in Uttoxeter, saying the work needs to be done in the town centre to fill the empty retail units to entice shoppers in for longer.
However, East Staffordshire Borough Council has pointed out there has been support available for businesses through the lockdown and Uttoxeter does have a free car park just outside the town centre.
Councillor Bernard Peters, East Staffordshire Borough Council’s deputy leader for regulatory and community support, said: “The council has always applied car parking charges universally and consistently across the entire borough and charges are designed to encourage longer stays so that users visit more businesses; in turn boosting the local economy.
“The recently launched parking app provides greater flexibility to users in how they pay for their parking.
“Shoppers in our town centres can top up their parking payment without having to leave the shops.
“Parking charges already provide excellent value when combined with the ongoing free after 3pm offer. Visitors can park for just £1.40 from 1pm in the majority of Uttoxeter car parks.
“In addition, Uttoxeter has East Staffordshire’s only totally free car park at Fairfield Road and other free street parking is available in and adjacent to the town centre. “Those wishing to ‘pop’ into the town can utilise the free after 3 offer or Fairfield Road and not incur any charge. “Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the council has supported local businesses with over £20 million in grant support.
“Retail discount relief, totalling £18.9 million, has been applied to shops across the borough meaning that 722 retail businesses will pay no business rates this year, directly supporting our High Streets. Over recent weeks the council has worked to ensure that our high streets and key shopping areas across the borough are safe to be open.”
As we come out of Covid, many businesses have struggled to reopen and they are all on their knees.