North Ayrshire businesses rally to stop council parking charges from creating 'ghost towns'
Shopkeepers fear new parking charges will be the 'final nail in the coffin' for North Ayrshire High Streets
Last updated 2nd Feb 2023
Local businesses and shopkeepers are rallying together to fight proposed new parking charges being introduced in North Ayrshire.
Multiple petitions have been launched after North Ayrshire Council announced the decision on introducing nine new paid parking areas in Irvine, Kilwinning, Largs and Saltcoats would go to a full council vote on February 15.
The possibility of the decision being approved has left local business owners fearing it will be the ‘final nail in the coffin’ for local high streets and that North Ayrshire shopping areas will become ‘ghost towns’.
The local authority say they have noted the petitions they’ve received from local communities, but business owners are still fearful for the future.
"Family business of 40 years will struggle to stay open"
Tom Biondi runs Dino & Sons Fruitmonger on Kilwinning Main Street, and started one of the petitions.
He tells West FM that the business his father started over 40 years ago after immigrating from Italy wouldn’t survive. Kilwinning recently had their local post office close down, and Tom fears parking charges would kill the town completely.
He said: “We’ve already project that we’ll be struggling to keep open and that was without taking into account the post office closing. That closed last month, and we’ve instantly seen a sharp footfall decline.
“It’s not sustainable, the rate its going. Our customers have already said they will not pay, or they can’t pay to park, or they will go elsewhere.
“If this comes into force, we reckon we’ll close. Other shops have been talking about it too. It’s unsustainable as it is, without putting more burden on our customers that we have worked over the years to get them on the hight street.
“The council isn’t trying hard enough to listen to us or help us out. Not one person has come and spoke to us about it, although they’ve claimed it, we’ve never had anyone speak to any of the shopkeepers in Kilwinning.
“They are either unaware or ignorant to the fact that this will destroy trading in Kilwinning. My message to them would be, just scrap the lot. If you don’t, you’ll end up with ghost towns.”
Councillors are being urged to listen to their local constituents before the decision goes to a final vote this month.
"The council should listen to shopkeepers, they know best"
Andrew Moore owns Little Blossoms Flower Shop in Saltcoats, and started one of the other petitions which has accumulated more than a thousand signatures.
He tells West FM that it’s not only unfair on shop owners, but another blow to people who are already struggling to afford bills and shopping.
He said: “A lot of folks can’t even afford essentials right now like gas and electricity. I know folk in full time work and having to use foodbanks. So then to have to come down to your local town and shops to then have to pay to use the car park I think is just inadequate. Businesses would suffer as well.”
“There would be no benefits to the parking charges. It would dramatically effect footfall. It would affect every business in town, but more so the small independent ones that are already struggling.
“It will be the final nail in the coffin.
“If I was to say anything to the councillors voting, it would be: listen to the shopkeepers within these towns, they know best, we’re the ones here every day witnessing it ourselves.”
"It will kill the High Street"
The proposed parking charges would also impact the people who work there, adding hundreds to their monthly bills.
Owner of Purple Daisy Gift Shop in Kilwinning, Anne-Marie Duffy told West FM: “It’s going to kill the high street. It’s all about promoting the town and trying to get people into the town, and I’ve said from day one that this will discourage people from coming to town.
“This is not a town where people will pay money to park all day and wander round the shops.
“It’s also bad for us. We’re here for eight hours a day, and say it’s £1.50 an hour, you multiply that by six days a week and we’ll be out of pocket a lot. Most of the shops here are run by the people that are in them and own them.”
Councillors invited to Public Meeting
Locals are hosting an open meeting in Kilwinning Abbey on Tuesday 14 February, the night before the vote.
It kicks off at 6pm and all councillors are being urged to attend to hear the concerns of the people the decision will impact most.
West FM approached North Ayrshire Council for comment on the claims that they haven’t engaged with any of the local business owners.
A spokesperson said: “This issue has been the subject of much discussion since the changes were first proposed in 2019.
“Elected members from all parties will discuss it further at the next Full Meeting of Council on 15 February where a final decision will be taken on the level of tariff for the car parks where charging is proposed.”
The car parks which are currently proposed to have tariffs introduced are:
• Irvine – Kirkgate, West Road and East Road
• Kilwinning – Almswell Road and Oxenward
• Saltcoats – Vernon Street, Windmill Street and Kirkgate (It is now proposed that Bradshaw Street is removed from plans)
• Largs – Gateside Street.
North Ayrshire Council added: "More than 40 other car parks across North Ayrshire will remain free of charge."