Thousands sign Worthing traders parking charges petition
AT least 25,000 signatures are being sought for a Worthing town centre traders' petition calling for cheaper car parking charges.
Thousands of people have already signed the petition, which is circulating in shops in the Guildbourne Centre, Warwick Street, Brighton Road, Chapel Road, Montague Street and Rowlands Road.
The petition, which will be handed to the borough council in 10 days' time, says: "We believe that the cost of parking in Worthing is too high, and consequently detrimental to the trade and commercial health of the town centre.
"We therefore request urgent review of the scale of the charges, with a view to reduction."
Priced out
Petition team organiser Steve Pratt, manager of the Guildbourne Grill, said: "For the past eight months or so, hundreds of my customers have told me that they are choosing to go Chichester, Horsham and surrounding areas, simply because of the price of parking in Worthing, both on-street and in the multi-storeys.
"Customers don't want to stay in the shops for long because they are anxious about the car parking charges, and sales are being lost because of this.
"Surely, by having prices so high, it is giving Worthing a bad name."
Mr Pratt said fewer customers in the town centre was leading to more shops closing and more unemployment.
Common sense
Commenting on the recent increase in on-street parking charges imposed by West Sussex County Council, Mr Pratt said: "We know that parking charges are an important part of the revenue for councils, but we feel there should be a level of common sense."
And referring to the NCP car park charges, Mr Pratt said: "If they offer special deals in the town centre, and they advertise them more, then it will increase their turnover and profits. Otherwise, the town will suffer."
Mr Pratt said he was happy with the public's support for the petition, but it was important for even more people to sign it.
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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