Council withdraws proposed overnight parking fees after business owner uproar. A parking review will be carried out.
The council listened to concerns as businesses, locals, and councilors spoke up. The council will now postpone the new evening fees and do a complete parking review first.
The council wanted a flat £2.50 rate for parking from 6 PM to 10 PM; this would affect tier 1 and 2 car parks. Standard fees would also rise around 2.5 percent.
Currently, parking is free after 6 PM, however, the changes could have started in April. The council hoped to gain £460,000 per year from this.
Businesses worried higher fees would deter tourists since summer months are important and car park prices are already higher then.
A restaurant owner, Larry Gibbons, is happy and thinks current charges are too high. He believes parking helps businesses and tourism and thanks the council for the pause.
Graham Davies owns a fish and chip shop. He was worried about evening price hikes but says the pause is good news and hopes the council changes its mind.
The parking review could take nine months. Locals and owners can share their views and explain how changes might affect their town.
The Bridport Arms manager thinks the council made a good choice, she states they are already struggling and fewer customers would hurt them. She hopes the plan gets dropped.
The council will study car park use and locations. Then, they will think about any changes to prices.