Call for further help after ‘step in the right direction’ with two-week parking charge amnesty
A two-week parking charge amnesty for Shropshire’s market towns has been welcomed as a step in the right direction for businesses, but the county council is being urged to go further as England comes out of its latest national lockdown.
Shropshire Council announced that there will be no charges to use its car parks throughout the county for a two-week period in April.
However, only hospitality businesses that can seat people outdoors will be open by then.
The earliest date for indoor seating to be allowed is May 17, and one Market Drayton restaurateur said it was frustrating that there was no provision made for businesses like his at this stage.
Daniel Derrington, who runs the Town House cafe in Market Drayton’s town centre, said that the council should be planning more help for businesses that aren’t able to operate for two more months.
“I asked them if it was a consideration to be applied when restaurants can open in an indoor setting and I was told no, which I find a little frustrating,” he explained.
“It isn’t, yet again, going to be any help for my sector.
“It’s a step in the right direction but not a step far enough for me personally and my business.
“If it makes some people think twice about coming to visit us, then those are tables that could have people sat at them and in turn I will be paying more back into the system.
Impact
“I think it’s short-sightedness on the council’s behalf.
“It’s great news for the businesses allowed to open in April and hopefully there’ll be another meeting where they come to some sense and make arrangements for May too.”
The county council’s move, which will cover all Shropshire Council car parks, was confirmed by councillor Steve Davenport at a meeting of the authority’s cabinet.
Councillor Davenport, portfolio holder for Highways and Transport, said: “The impact of the pandemic on our market towns and economies and the wider national economy is well rehearsed and understood.
“Therefore we will be providing free parking to all Shropshire Council car parks for the period from April 12 to 25 between the chargeable hours of 8am and 6pm.”
Last week, Seb Slater, executive director of Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID), said free parking should help traders “bounce back”.
“This is a great initiative to help kick-start the recovery as restrictions begin to be lifted,” he said.
