Spalding traders feel £3 car parking charge could be lower

Plans to introduce a £5 all-day car parking charge in Spalding town centre have been scrapped.

South Holland District Council has agreed to reduce the new price to £3 from January 1 following discussions with residents and businesses.

The rise is still a 100 per cent increase on the previous all-day price of £1.50.

Traders, shoppers and workers spoke out against the planned charges which they said would put people off coming to Spalding.

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, the council’s portfolio holder for place, stated that reducing the charge will impact on plans to improve the car parks.

He said: “We understand that the other charges are still of concern and we hope people will realise, in context of attempting to provide a good service and improve the service we deliver, it is necessary and it is not an attempt to milk the taxpayers.”

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Traders are pleased the council has listened but feels it could be reduced further.

Shane Graves, who owns Buy It, Sell It, said: “I think it is a step in the right direction but it is still a 50 per cent increase and going to double our parking charge for the year.

“I think there is still room for manoeuvre.”

Gibbs of Spalding owner Kate Robb thinks £2 would be better but feels that having no car parking charges would encourage people to spend more time in the town.

She said: “I think having every shop in the town centre full and profitable is better than having beautiful car parks with a few people paying £5.”

Darren Taylor, who owns Bookmark and Charmed Interiors, said there had been uproar among traders over the charges.

He said: “If it went to £2.50, I think it would be much fairer – and then they could review it in a year’s time.”