NEWPORT PARKING: Traders back parking compromise (From South Wales Argus)
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NEWPORT PARKING: Traders back parking compromise
11:50am Saturday 29th December 2012 in Gwent news
By Will Bain
SUPPORT: Butcher Mike Turner
A POTENTIAL compromise in the free parking argument in Newport has received backing from city centre traders.
The proposed scheme would see the council's £1 charge for three hours parking, which will come into force in February, remain but local shops would offer a £1 discount in their stores. This would either be in the form of a discount on products or by reimbursing shoppers for their parking by giving them a token to pay for their parking as reward for spending over a certain amount.
It is hoped this would also encourage people to use local stores, with the council publicising those traders taking part in the scheme.
Mike Turner, of AD Turners butchers in the market, said: "We'd be behind that. Anything which could help would be welcome.
"My gut feeling is that parking should be free, and we had a great turnout from customers over Christmas and free parking helped that so whatever we can do to keep customers coming while we look at longer term options we'd get behind."
Kelvin Reddicliffe, manager of Timpson, said: "Initially I was set against the idea but speaking to my area manager, I've opened my mind to it a bit more. We need a compromise and I think it seems a good idea."
Alan Edwards, president of Newport Chamber of Trade and owner of Vacara's Fish and Chips, said: "It's a working idea but one we would be happy to implement here. "We've got to build up support for it and get everyone behind it. It's a building block before a Business Improvement District and the Friars Walk development which will all take more time."
But, Sue Williams, owner of the Elbow Room hairdressers did not agree.
She, said: "We are already struggling with not enough people coming into Newport and now we would have to pay for our customers' parking as well."
Comments(14)
Woodgnome
says...
4:33pm Sat 29 Dec 12
I agree with Sue Williams in the article.
areyour4real
says...
5:25pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Woodgnome wrote:I agree too. Why should Sue have to pay for me to park?
This isn't a compromise. The Council hasn't done a thing!
I agree with Sue Williams in the article.
No, hang on...... everything should be free!
Sue should give out free hair cuts and we should all have our taxes back and live happily every after.
This has turned into madness or am I the only one being driven mad by it?
Dolieboy
says...
5:29pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Gun her
says...
6:34pm Sat 29 Dec 12
I find the bus service adequate
PaulHalliday
says...
7:18pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Gun her
says...
7:23pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Bobevans
says...
10:48pm Sat 29 Dec 12
It seems a sensible move for the shops to reimberse the £1 if they spend in the local shops.
It really needs a City Centre wide card scheme but that might be complex to set up ie they get so many Parking points for every £1 spent
newportexpat
says...
12:52am Sun 30 Dec 12
Woodgnome
says...
9:07am Sun 30 Dec 12
Bobevans wrote:I think it will. Free parking was the incentive to me and others I know. Without it I went to Cwmbran. Don't forget the cost of getting there as well,
I doubt a £1 charge would put off shoppers.
It seems a sensible move for the shops to reimberse the £1 if they spend in the local shops.
It really needs a City Centre wide card scheme but that might be complex to set up ie they get so many Parking points for every £1 spent
areyour4real
says...
9:18am Sun 30 Dec 12
newportexpat wrote:Newport has had free parking for 2 years and look at the list of retailers who left during that period.
follow the likes of cwmbran, which not only has a good range of shops, but offers free parking aswell which in these cash strapped times is a godsend & why should genuine newportonians shop 3 miles up the road when Newport is a great place ..... or at least would be if the council wasn't so greedy - newport is suffering from a lack of business why not give them a break!! - cheaper prices attract more business from retailers to shoppers!!
I would rather my tax goes on education rather than helping Starbucks sell more coffee.
The market traders get a fantastic deal paying almost no rent (some don't even bother to pay) so the council and tax payers are already bending over backwards to give them opportunity.
areyour4real
says...
9:20am Sun 30 Dec 12
localtrader2
says...
2:50am Mon 31 Dec 12
catlady wales
says...
6:27am Mon 31 Dec 12
areyour4real says...
2:56pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Some traders want to pay for your parking, some don't.
People on the bus are ripped off.
Gut feelings about free parking.
What ever next?
My one thought is............
How much would you need to spend to get your parking paid for?
A quids worth of mince?
Great news to hear that business was good over Xmas though.