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Parking charges to be slashed
Reporter: RICHARD HOOTON
Date online: 19 June 2009
COUNCIL chiefs are to slash on-street car parking charges in Oldham town centre to help businesses and residents fight the credit crunch.
The move is a victory for traders who slammed the sky-high parking prices on town centre streets and said they were driving shoppers away.
Oldham Council says the reduction will be “considerable” but will not release figures until it has consulted with businesses — though traders involved in talks say charges will be halved.
The authority has drawn up four options to be discussed with traders at a meeting next Tuesday, ranging from slashing a percentage off prices to having different pricing bands depending on the time used. The initiative was agreed at the latest meeting of the Credit Crunch War Cabinet, set up to deal with problems caused by the recession.
It’s expected to cost around £100,000 in reduced car parking income and would be funded by the War Cabinet’s £400,000 Rapid Intervention Fund.
Paul Hughes, owner and manager of Zutti Co and chairman of the local Business Improvement District Committee (BID), is delighted.
He called for changes in February when he described parking charges on Yorkshire Street as “absolutely scandalous” and said it was 40 per cent cheaper to park in fashionable areas in the centre of Manchester.
He said motorists pay 40p per 15 minutes and would complain when coming into his shop.
He said: “The plan is to halve all the on-street car parking charges in Oldham town centre. It’s a fantastic idea. On-street charges are imperative, but halving them is fair and realistic.
“More people will stop and there should be nobody risking not paying. I could never see the fairness of someone having to pay 40p to collect something they have already bought from our shop or to stop outside the paper shop and buy an Evening Chronicle.”
He said the change had been instigated by BID in partnership with the council.
Traders had complained about the charges at Oldham Town Centre Partnership meetings and breakfast briefings.
Council leader Councillor Howard Sykes said: “It is crucial that we as a council listen to the concerns of businesses and residents.
“The health of the high street was highlighted to us as a major concern. Obviously, the closures of some national retailers, like Woolworths, cannot be influenced by what we do locally, but there are times when we can intervene and play a positive role in helping to support and secure the future of independent traders.
“What we also had to consider is that if traders do close down their shop units are likely to be empty for some time. That can cause blight and even set up a ‘chain reaction’ in an area.
“We are therefore prepared to make a considerable reduction in the current charging levels and we look forward to hearing traders’ views on the new pricing structure so that it works best for them.”
Last year it was revealed that Oldham drivers forked out almost £2.5 million in parking charges in 2007, from car park charges to parking fines, earning the council £812,000 after costs.
Comments
at last! several years too late! the only business to keep going was the parking business. and now everything else has started going bust they are struggling!
as i always said. huddersfield town was much cheaper for parking and had better shops. theres no need to go to oldham! theres nowt there anymore!
...and just as we hear this, I noticed that there are now parking charges at Sainsbury's. Charges can be re-imbursed in-store, however I spent 35mins in TKmax and had to pay £2 to park today. Typical Oldham council for allowing car-parking companies to charge. Giving with one hand, taking with the other, as per usual.
about time , havent been to oldham town shopping since i got a parking ticket. these kind of charges put people off visiting, and the effort to catch you out when your ticket expires is unreal
Well its about time the parking in parts of oldham come down its so expensive to park and it must be bad for local small shops who already have a battle to survive with all the big supermarkets now they may have a chance xx
It's because of the stupid parking prices that I mainly now go to Rochdale town centre where it is so much cheaper. Also, good comment by steveml, I liked to pop into TKMaxx to browse and would more than likely then go into Sainsburys for a few essentials. I've not been back since I saw the parking meters, again, I'll be heading to TKMaxx Rochdale where it's FREE!
Is this too little too late. Oldham is so expensive compared to elsewhere. You can have 2 hours in middleton for 50p or all day in Ashton for 3.50p. Well see,,,, but I think retail in oldham has` already sustained a mortal wound
"It is crucial that we listen to the concerns of businesses & residents". What a load of tripe..!!!!!!!! They've never listened to the concerns of residents while they systematically erradicate an entire community.
"..Last year it was revealed that Oldham drivers forked out almost £2.5 million in parking charges in 2007, from car park charges to parking fines, earning the council £812,000 after costs". SAYS IT ALL DOESN'T IT!!!
And you have to PAY to park at a supermarket now? Way to go Sainsburys! Not only have you lost hundreds of shoppers to Tesco you alienate your existing shoppers too? I wouldn't DREAM of shopping in Oldham these days! What is there? The gloomy Town Square & Spindles (Chav Central!). Hardly enticing? The town centre that once heralded Tommyfield Market & coachloads for nights out is now a blot on the map-avoid at all costs.
Oldham Council - what a mess you've made of our town. Shame on you.
Hop in the car or on a bus/train to Bury and see how the shopping in Oldham, USED to be.
http://www.burymarket.com
Well said DB. One other thought though. Isn't £812,000 pretty close to the figue that was claimed in expenses...mmmmmmm. No it can't be, surely it's just a coincidence...!!!!!
Have Your Say
"It is crucial that we as a council listen to the concerns of businesses and residents". That will be the day!
By Get it right @ 19/06/2009 14:02:42