Protestors demand free parking at Shrewsbury and Ludlow demos
Shrewsbury's Square was filled with placard-waving protesters at a demonstration to demand free parking.
Shropshire Council wants to increase the cost of most car parking in the county, with parking restrictions being extended and the 15-minute 'Pop and Shop' scheme scrapped.
But at the demonstration held in The Square last night residents stood alongside traders to make it clear that they want Shropshire Council to act to prevent independent businesses from going under due to the proposed changes.
Speakers at the event told the gathered crowd of about 150 supporters that they were worried that recent rate business rises, coupled with town centre improvements, will result in fewer people coming to the town to visit its niche shops, bars and restaurants.
WATCH: Parking charge protest explained
Mike Avery, of Cromwells, in Dogpole, said: “We have got quite a few business people here tonight, along with customers and residents, which is good to see.
“The problem that we have is a perfect storm along with the effects of the policies of Brexit which the MPs at Westminster are grappling with. In the meantime business rates are becoming obscene.
“Our business is being charged £76,000 a year now – and if we suddenly say to you that your food bill is going up by 100 per cent you wouldn’t come back.
“Whatever happens businesses have to pay rates, if it snows and the town is quiet we still have to pay.”
Mr Avery added: “They doubled the business rates and on top of that they are going to encourage people to come to the town by putting up parking charges.
“Also the minimum wage has gone up and also the cost of waste collections.
“It is us who are paying it.”
Mr Avery joined forces with Jeff Anderson, of Bodytech gym in Mardol, and Gwen Burgess from Darwin’s Coffee Shop to organise the protest.
Bodytech has suggested free parking for a set time of about two hours with enforcement.
A similar protest also took place in Ludlow’s Market Square, organised by the town’s chamber of commerce.
And Ludlow MP Philip Dunne has protested to Shropshire Council leader Peter Nutting, calling for a review or delay.
The council agreed earlier this year that parking and permits across the county would follow a ‘linear’ tariff, with all car parks and on-street provision sorted into seven bands.
The authority’s cabinet is due to meet today at 12.30pm and is expected to agree the new parking regime, which has been largely contested across the county. Under the new parking strategy people will still have a 15-minute ‘pop and shop’ period.
The charges for each car park in the county will be different, depending on where it is and the demand for spaces.
