Douglas Council leader David Christian has described promenade parking proposals as sounding a deathknell for retail in the capital and residents’ parking charges as unfair.
Mr Christian was responding to proposals publicised by Department of Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne last week to reduce free on-street parking on Loch Promenade to one hour instead of two and to charge people for parking on the promenade walkway.
‘At a time of difficult trading conditions, to impose these ill-considered measures will only serve as yet another nail in the retail coffin,’ he said.
The council’s executive committee was totally opposed to the reduction to one hour for the promenade disc zone parking and, while they conceded there could be a case for charging motorists to park on the promenade walkway, the first two hours of that should be free.
He added: ‘The council has long recognised that on-street parking charges in the town centre were likely to be introduced. It had always hoped however that the government’s plans would be sensitive to the economic climate and the challenges, compounded currently by the regeneration works, retailers are facing. Also shoppers are finding it hard enough as it is, negotiating the town centre while these works continue without being deterred from visiting the town by these new parking restrictions.’
Following further discussions and a meeting with Strand Shopping Centre manager John Shakespeare, the DoI has made some concessions to retailers and shoppers.
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne has now announced free car parking at Chester Street car park and on the promenade walkway on Thursdays from 6pm from November 20 to December 18.
Chester Street car park and the promenade walkway car parking will also be free on Saturdays from November 22 up to and including December 20. The parking duration for the Loch Promenade disc zone between Granville Street and the sea terminal will remain at two hours and the reduction to one hour will only come into operation at the start of January.
Mr Gawne said: ‘It has always been my intention to grant concessions on parking charges in the build up to Christmas, which is the busiest time of year for the vast majority of shops. Indeed DOI officers ahd I have met representatives of the retail industry andthe Department of Economic Development on several occasions to discuss this issue.
‘Discussions were generally positive andproductive and although there were some differences of opinion we were able to reach agreement on a number of helpful measures.’
Mr Gawne said the idea was for the free parking to coincide with the peak shopping times in Douglas in the run up to Christmas, on Thursday for late night shopping and through the day on Saturdays.
Chamber of Commerce chief executive Jane Dellar said she was pleased with the Christmas concessions but added: ‘Parking provision is an important consideration for the retail trade. There is concern over the department’s plans to increase charges but retailers are pleased that arrangements for free parking will be in place in the lead up to Christmas. I look forward to further discussions with the department in the future.’
Other plans include a £25 fee for residents’ permits.