Warwick town centre parking charges set to stay, despite call for lower prices to bring shoppers back after roadworks
DISTRICT council proposals to keep the existing car parking charges in Warwick have been met with opposition from both the Chamber of Trade and town councillor John Holland who says they should be lowered.
Cllr Holland says similar-sized towns like Kenilworth - which has seen a growth in its retail sector - currently have an unfair advantage over Warwick which has struggled over the past year.
At the moment it costs £1.70p to to park for two hours in Warwick compared with £1.20p in Kenilworth. Shoppers leaving their vehicles in designated car parks usually pay 70p for an hour in Warwick and 60p in Kenilworth.
Meanwhile “big sister” Leamington has adopted a linear parking model involving 20p for 12 minutes and then added cash building up to £2 for two hours.
Discussions are currently being held about the need for any increased charges, or indeed reductions, to be introduced next April.
But Cllr Holland (Lab, Warwick West), who has sat in on the preliminary consultations, said: “Next year we need lower prices to encourage shoppers and visitors back to Warwick.
“I know some of the retail problems have been caused by the roadworks, the bad weather and the economy generally - but Kenilworth is doing well and should not have an unfair advantage.”
Ian Coker, head of neighbourhood services for the district council, said at the moment he is recommending no changes and it would be right to reflect Warwick, as a tourist town with more than 1,000 spaces, should be more expensive than Kenilworth, which has less than 400 spaces.
The Chamber of Trade is also making representations ahead of a final decision being taken at the district’s executive meeting on October 10.
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Thursday 23 May 2013
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