AS SUPPORT grows for our campaign to reverse Newport council’s decision to scrap free parking, traders tell WILL BAIN they are demanding a public meeting.

TRADERS backing our campaign to “Keep City Parking Free” have demanded a public meeting with council officials to air their concerns about the scrapping of two hours free parking in council car parks.

Our campaign, launched yesterday, is calling on Newport City Council to reverse its decision to scrap free parking in council car parks which the Argus feels could be the final straw for many struggling Newport retailers.

Sue Williams, who has run The Elbow Room hairdressers in Austin Friars for 33 years, said: “Footfall grows business in the city centre so we need people here seeing our businesses.

“We need to discuss this with the council.

“All the money they spent putting stupid things around the city centre like benches and bollards or flowers before the Ryder Cup could have paid for the two hours free parking for the next two years probably. They need to get their priorities right.”

Anthony Bingham, who owns a designer goldsmiths in Newport Arcade, agreed.

“I was one of instigators pushing for free parking in the first place.

“I’ve heard from people for years that Cwmbran is above us on their list of places to shop because of the free parking, we have raised this so many times with various councils.

“We need a meeting with the council but not at the time when they have these traders’ meetings at 10am, it needs to be at a sensible time when independent traders can make it and aren’t at work.”

Phae Cole, owner of Bethan in the Arcade echoed that call.

“It would be good to have a meeting but the council must be prepared to listen and to do something, which they haven’t had a good track record on.”

“They host traders’ meetings at 10am when independent traders can’t go so we all need to be given a chance to have our say.

“It’s certainly having a positive affect having free parking so I definitely back ‘Keep City Parking Free.’”

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