City traders battle for cheaper parking (From Daily Echo)
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Southampton retailers fight for cheaper car parking
11:11am Monday 12th April 2010 in Southampton
East Street in Southampton
SHOPKEEPERS in Southampton are calling on the council to cut “punitive” on street parking charges and double the time customers can stay.
Retailers from Below Bar also want the one-way traffic flow in East Street to be reversed in a bid to pull in more shoppers.
They have written to city bosses asking for the changes to help them battle the recession’s effect on their businesses, which they say are also been hard hit by a triple whammy of road works, rent and rates rises.
Blaming high prices for a rash of empty parking spaces, they have called for drivers to be given up to half an hour free and for charges to be cut back from the present £2 an hour to £1.20. They also want the maximum time allowed to be doubled to at least two hours.
“This is not only the unanimous view of East Street but Queensway, and the High Street as well. There’s total unanimity,”
said Rashmi Chande, of the East Street Traders’ Association, which represents 32 businesses.
“They have been improving the High Street visually but they have killed the traffic in the process. It looks like a no-go area now because they have narrowed the road. The motorised traffic is dramatically reduced down East Street. We have lots of parking spaces and the huge car park behind us is under-used.
“There should be a turn into the street off Queensway. It will improve the traffic flow and make people aware of the street.”
He said all traders were unanimous in their condemnation of the parking charges, which damage trade and force shoppers to rush their business.
“The people at the council are in cloud cuckoo land,” he said. “How can we get out of recession if we restrict people’s shopping time? It’s like we want to get rid of them. At the moment it is 80p for 20 minutes and there’s a large choice of spaces as a result. I think it’s punitive.”
Ian Welland, city centre manager said: “An urgent review of on-street car parking by the council is crucial to businesses at this time.
“Car parking is a contentious issue but with many businesses facing rises in rent and rates, as well as ongoing street works and enhancements having impact, the council could play a positive role in helping to redress matters to increase footfall and trade in the area quickly.”
Traders are hoping to hear the council’s views on their proposals before they meet again on April 29.
Comments(14)
southy
says...
11:54am Mon 12 Apr 10
or in the multi story car park charge the £1 per hour but have no max time.
hulla baloo
says...
12:55pm Mon 12 Apr 10
southy
says...
1:37pm Mon 12 Apr 10
hulla baloo wrote:not two way traffic hulla, but make the traffic come in from the other end, change the flow of the direction of traffic.
Crazy idea to return East st to 2 way traffic, is not wide enough, unless they want to remove parking from 1 side of the road.
stmarysmush
says...
2:31pm Mon 12 Apr 10
Zeo
says...
6:34pm Mon 12 Apr 10
Condor Man
says...
8:30pm Mon 12 Apr 10
clausentum
says...
5:45am Tue 13 Apr 10
Shoppers will feel more inclined to visit the city to spend their money, the Council will maintain it's revenue stream and traders will increase their sales revenue as a result of more frequent and happier shoppers parting with their hard-earned money.
Maine Lobster
says...
12:23pm Tue 13 Apr 10
clausentum wrote:Traders already have a considerable levy on their trade. It is called Business Rates.
Make all parking free and impose a Council tax or levy on traders. Shoppers will feel more inclined to visit the city to spend their money, the Council will maintain it's revenue stream and traders will increase their sales revenue as a result of more frequent and happier shoppers parting with their hard-earned money.
Councils raise millions every year in parking fees and fines, so your free parking idea, whilst no doubt popular with shoppers, just isn't realistic.
A bit too "black and white" to be viable.
clausentum
says...
1:32pm Tue 13 Apr 10
Maine Lobster wrote:I know what a Business Tax is.
clausentum wrote:Traders already have a considerable levy on their trade. It is called Business Rates.
Make all parking free and impose a Council tax or levy on traders. Shoppers will feel more inclined to visit the city to spend their money, the Council will maintain it's revenue stream and traders will increase their sales revenue as a result of more frequent and happier shoppers parting with their hard-earned money.
Councils raise millions every year in parking fees and fines, so your free parking idea, whilst no doubt popular with shoppers, just isn't realistic.
A bit too "black and white" to be viable.
"A bit too "black and white" to be viable."
How do you know?
A feasibility study could be carried out.
Might turn out to be a win-win for shoppers and for traders, if at the end of the day more people shop more often and traders revenues are increased?
It's easy to scoff. What's your lateral-thinking alternative suggestion/solution to a problem currently blighting shoppers and traders alike?
It seems to me the financial burden placed on shoppers to fund parking could be shifted from them and onto traders who want them to shop in their stores to make a profit.
Maine Lobster
says...
2:21pm Tue 13 Apr 10
clausentum wrote:Alternative suggestion: Impliment a reasonable park and ride scheme that reduces parking cost and also keeps unnecessary traffic away from the City Centre streets that are already choked. East Street has become increasingly isolated since the pedestrianisation of the Bargate, preventing vehicular access from Hanover Buildings and therefore passing custom. However, I do agree with another poster that the short term parking costs in East Street are punitive,they could be reduced, as has been done in other Council car parks.
Maine Lobster wrote:I know what a Business Tax is. "A bit too "black and white" to be viable." How do you know? A feasibility study could be carried out. Might turn out to be a win-win for shoppers and for traders, if at the end of the day more people shop more often and traders revenues are increased? It's easy to scoff. What's your lateral-thinking alternative suggestion/solution to a problem currently blighting shoppers and traders alike? It seems to me the financial burden placed on shoppers to fund parking could be shifted from them and onto traders who want them to shop in their stores to make a profit.clausentum wrote: Make all parking free and impose a Council tax or levy on traders. Shoppers will feel more inclined to visit the city to spend their money, the Council will maintain it's revenue stream and traders will increase their sales revenue as a result of more frequent and happier shoppers parting with their hard-earned money.Traders already have a considerable levy on their trade. It is called Business Rates. Councils raise millions every year in parking fees and fines, so your free parking idea, whilst no doubt popular with shoppers, just isn't realistic. A bit too "black and white" to be viable.
A non scoffing enough answer?
clausentum
says...
3:25pm Tue 13 Apr 10
Maine Lobster wrote:Yep.
clausentum wrote:Alternative suggestion: Impliment a reasonable park and ride scheme that reduces parking cost and also keeps unnecessary traffic away from the City Centre streets that are already choked. East Street has become increasingly isolated since the pedestrianisation of the Bargate, preventing vehicular access from Hanover Buildings and therefore passing custom. However, I do agree with another poster that the short term parking costs in East Street are punitive,they could be reduced, as has been done in other Council car parks.
Maine Lobster wrote:I know what a Business Tax is. "A bit too "black and white" to be viable." How do you know? A feasibility study could be carried out. Might turn out to be a win-win for shoppers and for traders, if at the end of the day more people shop more often and traders revenues are increased? It's easy to scoff. What's your lateral-thinking alternative suggestion/solution to a problem currently blighting shoppers and traders alike? It seems to me the financial burden placed on shoppers to fund parking could be shifted from them and onto traders who want them to shop in their stores to make a profit.clausentum wrote: Make all parking free and impose a Council tax or levy on traders. Shoppers will feel more inclined to visit the city to spend their money, the Council will maintain it's revenue stream and traders will increase their sales revenue as a result of more frequent and happier shoppers parting with their hard-earned money.Traders already have a considerable levy on their trade. It is called Business Rates. Councils raise millions every year in parking fees and fines, so your free parking idea, whilst no doubt popular with shoppers, just isn't realistic. A bit too "black and white" to be viable.
A non scoffing enough answer?
But I still think there is milage in the notion of shifting much if not all the financial burden away from shoppers.
In the UK we have yet to learn that shopping has to be a pleasant experience for people, and in a sense they need to be seduced into parting with their hard earned dosh. Making them drive around for an hour for a parking spot only to find one and then be charged an arm and a leg in parking fees simply creates frustrated and disgruntled shoppers. What's the sense in that for traders?
We can learn from other Countries experiences/problem-
solving solutions. Simply think of what it is like to go on holiday and enjoy shopping in your holiday destination?
Another idea is for the Council and traders to unite in providing subsidised bus tickets for shoppers at weekends. Maybe half normal price? I would much prefer going into town on a cheap bus ticket than endure the grueling activity of fighting for a rare and highly expensive parking space.
Maine Lobster
says...
3:44pm Tue 13 Apr 10
clausentum wrote:Good Lord, we seem to have reached accord. Wonders will never cease!
Maine Lobster wrote:Yep. But I still think there is milage in the notion of shifting much if not all the financial burden away from shoppers. In the UK we have yet to learn that shopping has to be a pleasant experience for people, and in a sense they need to be seduced into parting with their hard earned dosh. Making them drive around for an hour for a parking spot only to find one and then be charged an arm and a leg in parking fees simply creates frustrated and disgruntled shoppers. What's the sense in that for traders? We can learn from other Countries experiences/problem- solving solutions. Simply think of what it is like to go on holiday and enjoy shopping in your holiday destination? Another idea is for the Council and traders to unite in providing subsidised bus tickets for shoppers at weekends. Maybe half normal price? I would much prefer going into town on a cheap bus ticket than endure the grueling activity of fighting for a rare and highly expensive parking space.clausentum wrote:Alternative suggestion: Impliment a reasonable park and ride scheme that reduces parking cost and also keeps unnecessary traffic away from the City Centre streets that are already choked. East Street has become increasingly isolated since the pedestrianisation of the Bargate, preventing vehicular access from Hanover Buildings and therefore passing custom. However, I do agree with another poster that the short term parking costs in East Street are punitive,they could be reduced, as has been done in other Council car parks. A non scoffing enough answer?Maine Lobster wrote:I know what a Business Tax is. "A bit too "black and white" to be viable." How do you know? A feasibility study could be carried out. Might turn out to be a win-win for shoppers and for traders, if at the end of the day more people shop more often and traders revenues are increased? It's easy to scoff. What's your lateral-thinking alternative suggestion/solution to a problem currently blighting shoppers and traders alike? It seems to me the financial burden placed on shoppers to fund parking could be shifted from them and onto traders who want them to shop in their stores to make a profit.clausentum wrote: Make all parking free and impose a Council tax or levy on traders. Shoppers will feel more inclined to visit the city to spend their money, the Council will maintain it's revenue stream and traders will increase their sales revenue as a result of more frequent and happier shoppers parting with their hard-earned money.Traders already have a considerable levy on their trade. It is called Business Rates. Councils raise millions every year in parking fees and fines, so your free parking idea, whilst no doubt popular with shoppers, just isn't realistic. A bit too "black and white" to be viable.
The big problem is that those who will need to authorise any solution will be the Council.............
I won't hold my breath!
clausentum
says...
6:09pm Tue 13 Apr 10
Maine Lobster wrote:"Good Lord, we seem to have reached accord. Wonders will never cease!"
clausentum wrote:Good Lord, we seem to have reached accord. Wonders will never cease!
Maine Lobster wrote:Yep. But I still think there is milage in the notion of shifting much if not all the financial burden away from shoppers. In the UK we have yet to learn that shopping has to be a pleasant experience for people, and in a sense they need to be seduced into parting with their hard earned dosh. Making them drive around for an hour for a parking spot only to find one and then be charged an arm and a leg in parking fees simply creates frustrated and disgruntled shoppers. What's the sense in that for traders? We can learn from other Countries experiences/problem- solving solutions. Simply think of what it is like to go on holiday and enjoy shopping in your holiday destination? Another idea is for the Council and traders to unite in providing subsidised bus tickets for shoppers at weekends. Maybe half normal price? I would much prefer going into town on a cheap bus ticket than endure the grueling activity of fighting for a rare and highly expensive parking space.clausentum wrote:Alternative suggestion: Impliment a reasonable park and ride scheme that reduces parking cost and also keeps unnecessary traffic away from the City Centre streets that are already choked. East Street has become increasingly isolated since the pedestrianisation of the Bargate, preventing vehicular access from Hanover Buildings and therefore passing custom. However, I do agree with another poster that the short term parking costs in East Street are punitive,they could be reduced, as has been done in other Council car parks. A non scoffing enough answer?Maine Lobster wrote:I know what a Business Tax is. "A bit too "black and white" to be viable." How do you know? A feasibility study could be carried out. Might turn out to be a win-win for shoppers and for traders, if at the end of the day more people shop more often and traders revenues are increased? It's easy to scoff. What's your lateral-thinking alternative suggestion/solution to a problem currently blighting shoppers and traders alike? It seems to me the financial burden placed on shoppers to fund parking could be shifted from them and onto traders who want them to shop in their stores to make a profit.clausentum wrote: Make all parking free and impose a Council tax or levy on traders. Shoppers will feel more inclined to visit the city to spend their money, the Council will maintain it's revenue stream and traders will increase their sales revenue as a result of more frequent and happier shoppers parting with their hard-earned money.Traders already have a considerable levy on their trade. It is called Business Rates. Councils raise millions every year in parking fees and fines, so your free parking idea, whilst no doubt popular with shoppers, just isn't realistic. A bit too "black and white" to be viable.
The big problem is that those who will need to authorise any solution will be the Council.............
I won't hold my breath!
Every day heralds surprises, some good, some not so good. It seems you may not be a sad John Wayne film buff after all, but someone with good ideas and useful observations to offer. ;-)
Valid point about the Council. They have a poor track record of sensible thinking, strategic thinking, let alone smart thinking, in the decisions they make ( or fail to make ). Too often they end up creating extra headaches for the community they are supposed to serve.
The Council could be bypassed.
Create an alliance between bus operators and traders for cheap weekend bus tickets. The subsidy borne equally between them.
Both might win: bus companies generating more fare-paying passengers to boost their overall revenue and traders getting more shoppers through their doors and so boosting their sales/profits? More, importantly, shoppers could experience more pleasure, less hassle and ENJOY shopping ??
soton1980 says...
11:27am Mon 12 Apr 10