Businesses in Liverpool city centre face a threat to their ‘prosperity and sustainability’ once free night-time parking ends in June, Liverpool BID Company claims. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool BID Company is urging Liverpool City Council to reconsider its ban on free parking in the city centre after 6pm.
Last week councillors voted to combat what they say is “dangerous and antisocial car parking by bringing in new restrictions from June 1. From that date drivers will be charged to park in the city centre from 7am to 11am, a change from the current 8am to 6pm.
According to the council there have been “growing concerns” from residents about “reckless and inconsiderate parking” in the city centre.
Parking charges in city bays will also increase. 30 minutes parking in the city centre has gone up from £1.20 to £2 while an hour will now cost £4, up from £2.40.
However, Liverpool BID Company, which represents more than 800 levy-paying business across the city centre, is urging the authority to “reconsider its position”.
In a statement it said: “We understand the ambition to reduce congestion, to manage parking demand and to improve air quality, but this is not the right solution and risks harming Liverpool’s renowned and celebrated nightlife.
“Many of our levy-payers and city centre businesses have contacted us to voice their concerns, especially those within the hospitality, leisure and cultural sectors. They have told us they feel these changes disproportionately and negatively affect their operations.
“Liverpool’s night-time economy is a critical ingredient in the city’s economic prosperity and its brand. The number of late night venues increased in the last year by 7.8%. This city’s nightlife is second only to London’s.”
These changes, said the BID, threaten both the “prosperity and sustainability” of city centre businesses. It added: “Everyone knows about the fears over the future of small businesses with rising operating costs, and the night time economy is not immune.
“Hospitality, leisure and cultural businesses are particularly exposed by these rising costs. It is more expensive to run a nighttime economy business now, before they even open their doors.
“These parking changes impact on the ability of staff to travel home after working a late shift, it makes recruitment and retention harder for businesses. It is a deterrent to visitors, affecting footfall.”
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Announcing the changes, Cllr Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said: “Liverpool City Council remains committed to ensuring the city centre is accessible, safe, and environmentally sustainable.
“We have seen an increasing amount of inconsiderate parking recently, and these changes will allow the council to deal with offenders and make our publicly shared spaces safer and more inviting for all.
“Investments in public transport, including the reinstatement of night buses and the introduction of a franchising model for buses, will complement these parking changes.”
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