Local businesses furious over massive parking fees increase

By Alex Perkins, Canterbury Liberal Democrat Leader

 

The proposed massive hike in parking charges at the city's multi-storey car park has outraged the owners of Whitefriars who claim it will turn shoppers away from the city. Land Securities is 'strongly objecting' to the planned increases which will see motorists charged £2 an hour at weekends and an unprecedented £7 for every hour after five hours.

The Tory-run city council, which sets public car park tariffs, seem determined to destroy businesses in the city and lose the local economy hundreds of jobs. The row is the first public spat between the council and the city's biggest landlord, with whom it has worked closely on the massive retail re-development of the city.

Former city council leader, LibDem opposition leader Alex Perkins said : “I cannot believe the new Tory administration can have got this so badly wrong. It is a sign of their total incompetence. We had built up a fantastic working relationship with Land Securities, but through their greed and stupidity the Tories have blown it in just six months!”

There has already been widespread criticism of the council's parking charge proposals from Canterbury's independent traders. But Land Securities' forceful objection carries particular weight because of the company's strength in Canterbury. It claims the charges will make Canterbury the most expensive place to shop in Kent, and drive shoppers away to other competing retail centres where parking is cheaper or even free.

Whitefriars centre manager Peter Scutt said: "Currently around 1,600 cars use the multi-storey every day, staying for an average of two hours. Most of these are obviously shopping visits.The proposed mammoth increase in parking charges will seriously damage trade in Canterbury.”