BUSINESSMAN
Richard Stubbs says he may have to move out of the town due to the district council’s parking wardens “playing games” which are causing him significant problems. Richard, who owns idesign Bathroom and Kitchens in Leek, has received many parking tickets when loading and unloading at his premisses in the Smithfield Centre South car park during the last three years.
A LEEK businessman has said that he may have to move his operation out of the town due to the district council’s parking wardens “playing games” which are causing his businesses significant problems.
Richard Stubbs who owns idesign Bathroom and Kitchens has received many parking tickets when loading and unloading at his premisses in the Smithfield Centre South car park during the last two to three years
It got so bad that last year he held a meeting with officers and the council leader Sybil Ralphs over the problem.
He was then given a permit for 20 minutes to allow him to load and unload items at the rear of the premises for any vehicles. This then led to an improved situation.
However over the Christmas and New Year period Mr Stubbs has received four parking tickets for his vehicles plus one for his fitters.
Mr Stubbs said: “The council have put up new signs which state only good vehicles can park at the loading bay, but I have a permit which is valid to March 31, 2019 for any vehicle that I am loading or unloading.
“This sign has been erected and I have not been notified. It has now become a game for the wardens.”
In a letter to the council Mr Stubbs said: “Please find attached a copy of the permit given to us by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council enabling us to load and unload at the back of our premises. You will note that this pass does not state that the vehicle should be a ‘goods vehicle,’ it also states that we have 20 minutes and it also states that loading is to be carried out within a bay. I believe that this sign has been changed without anyone notifying us.
“The sign itself is the property of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, as is the permit. The directions given on the permit do not match the instructions on the sign, our permit allows any vehicle up until the end of March 2019 to unload in a loading area.”
Speaking to the Post & Times Mr Stubbs said that the sign on the Smithfield Centre North car park did not state only good vehicles.
He said: “What is the difference between the two car parks as there are businesses on both sites. It is total discrimination to have one rule for one and one rule for another,
“They are playing games with us and the situation has become ridiculous. An adjoining shop has eight-wheeler lorries parking on the car park, but they have never had a ticket.
“There are a lot of shops closed and empty in Leek at the moment and what the council is doing is commercial suicide.
“The new sign also states there is an un/loading bay, but there is not one marked out.
“We have taken on another shop and are continuing to employ more people, but if this continues we may have to move out of the town.”
“The council leader has been excellent and understanding and the meeting last year proved positive as they want businesses to remain in Leek. However it is the officer below her making decisions that are causing the problems.”
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Moorlands District Council said it had already taken steps to address business concerns and had implemented measures last spring to increase loading and unloading times to support businesses at the Smithfield Centre.
She added: “In relation to these particular Penalty Charge Notices the registered owner has contacted the Council’s notice processing team to start the appeals procedure. In line with the statutory process in place, this gives the option for a formal representation if the appellant is not happy with the outcome or believes that the Penalty Charge Notice has been issued in error.
“In cases at this location involving loading and unloading, this activity has to be seen to be taking place, so the driver has to be seen at the vehicle at least once during the 30-minute observation period. In this case, the notices were issued by the enforcement officer as the vehicle was deemed to be parked in contravention of the rules.”