Seaside bar blames parking charges for closure

The owner of a seaside bar says the business will permanently close due to declining visitor numbers, rising energy costs and a trial parking charge scheme.

Dunes Bar and Restaurant, in Old Lydd Road, Camber, thanked customers, staff and suppliers when announcing it would close after 19 years' trading.

A spokesperson said the number of visitors had dropped after nearby Pontins holiday site closed and an “exorbitant” parking charge scheme trialled last summer.

“Throw in the now extortionate energy tariffs for licensed businesses, then it was hard to see a way forward for the Dunes Bar,” the Dunes spokesperson added.

Rother District Council (RDC) trialled a £30 flat rate parking charge at the Camber Central and Old Lydd Road car parks during summer last year.

The council said at the time the hike from £3 per hour aimed to raise cash, and tackle congestion and antisocial behaviour.

Dunes said the charges cut footfall through the area and added: “It crippled the summer trade and has proved devastating long term.”

The council has since scrapped the flat rate charges. This summer, parking in either of the car parks will cost between £6 and £30, depending on the duration of stay.

The last day of trading for Dunes will be 14 April.

A council spokeswoman said RDC was sorry to hear of the closure. She added that the flat rate trial was to discourage visitors staying for “just a few hours” from entering the centre of the village, and that after “careful consideration of data and feedback”, the plan was scrapped.

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