'New parking charges are killing our shops'

Independent businesses in Bradford are urging officials to rethink new parking charges, which they say are having a "diabolical" impact on trade.

The recently introduced fees are part of a raft of measures Bradford Council has taken to address a shortfall in its budget.

However, boutique owner Jodie Walsh said takings at her shop in Idle had plummeted as a result, and urged the council not to "penalise small businesses who are trying to survive".

A council spokesperson said it understood traders' concerns but that it could no longer afford to "subsidise" services it has to pay to maintain.

The changes include a new flat fee £1 hourly rate, rising to £1.50 per hour at busier spots, with free evening parking scrapped.

New annual fees for residents' parking permits have also been the subject of a backlash.

The BBC spoke to businesses and shoppers in Idle, where the previously free car park in The Green is now subject to charges.

Carissa Patten runs a gift shop in the village and recently opened a greengrocers.

She said some people had been boycotting the 35-bay car park following the introduction of the new charges.

“Everyone in the village has seen a large drop in customers, about 40 per cent,” she said.

"Some people have been closing early.

"They told us there wouldn't be any impact, but we have all seen the impact.

"It'll end up that the village shuts down."

She said the charges had also led to traffic problems in other parts of the village where there are no parking regulations.

“People are genuinely angry and don't want to pay,” she said

"I don't understand why they can't at least offer us 20 minutes free for people nipping into the post office or card shop for five minutes. There needs to be some flexibility."

She said she was hopeful the charges may be withdrawn, pointing to a similar reversal in neighbouring Kirklees.

Ms Walsh, who submitted a 1,200-signature petition opposing the planned fees, said the village centre had been visibly quieter since the charges came in, with takings at her shop, Top Knot, down as a result.

"I've taken just £39 today, on a day that should normally be very busy, two months before Christmas," she said.

"It's diabolical.

“I get that they’ve got to make money, but I have no sympathy, not when I have bills to pay.

"Today's made me wonder 'will I be here after Christmas?'."

Shopper Andrew Foden, who was on his way to Ms Patten's greengrocers, said he was keen to support local businesses but feared the charges could put some people off.

He said: “She’s a young lady and she's trying to make a right good go of it.

"It's going to affect her because people will think, 'well, I’ll go to [the supermarket] now'."

He added he could “appreciate” the council’s financial predicament but felt taxpayers were increasingly getting the thin end of the public services wedge.

“They don't even cut the verges now. They rarely come out with the gritters. I know the council's cash-strapped, but it's like that all over though isn’t it?

“It is annoying. I'm not bothered about paying a pound, but just for the sake of going into the shop for five minutes?

“And it affects the pensioners especially. I'll be a pensioner at Christmas.”

A spokesperson for Bradford Council said there were a number of "thriving" villages and towns in the district where parking charges have been in place for several years, adding that they "encourage a healthy turnover of vehicles and shoppers to support local businesses".

"We understand the concern people may have on these and other proposals, however, given the financial situation at local authorities across the country we’re having to consider many difficult decisions in the budget," they said.

“Car parks are not free for councils to maintain. Councils have to pay business rates for car parks and pay for their upkeep. Having no charges means this is essentially subsidised by taxpayers at the cost of other services.”

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