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Spalding trader says don't hit high street by raising car park charges




Higher charges are on the way for Spalding's Westlode Street car park and a charge could be introduced where there's currently free parking in the town's Gore Lane.

Spalding Town Retailers' Association chairman Darren Sutton says traders battling the downturn in business sparked by COVID-19 are not in a position to face another body blow.

He said: "At the minute, it's probably not the best time to put parking charges up, especially with how retail and business is at the minute.

"Businesses are struggling.

Darren Sutton, who chairs Spalding Town Retailers' Association
Darren Sutton, who chairs Spalding Town Retailers' Association

"The last thing we could do with at the minute is to have parking charges go up, especially for customers and members of staff who have to use the car parks.

"I am sure they could leave it to at least next year until businesses get back on their feet."

South Holland District Council portfolio holder Roger Gambba-Jones says it is the charges on the Westlode Street car park - owned by Broadgate and managed by the council - that are changing.

Charges will only be introduced in Gore Lane if the car park is ever properly surfaced.

Many shop and business staff currently park free on the rough ground at Gore Lane.

Coun Gambba-Jones said: "It's the Broadgate car park, which we manage under contract on their behalf, and these are the charges which are changing - they have agreed to change them to bring them more in line with our charges."

He says a document that's gone out to consultation with all district councillors is merely "tidying up" previously agreed increases in charges that were first announced at the end of last year and are already in effect.



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