Business slump fears in Shaftesbury over cut in free parking (From Bournemouth Echo)

Business slump fears in Shaftesbury over cut in free parking

7:00pm Thursday 4th February 2010 in

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TRADERS in Shaftesbury fear a slump in business will follow a cut in free parking at the town’s Tesco car park.

Free stays at the superstore’s Coppice Street car park will be reduced from three hours to two on February 15.

Richard Thomas, a spokesman for the town’s chamber of commerce, described Tesco’s decision as “extremely disappointing news”.

“Shaftesbury has been bearing up in the recession but this will only make recovery a lot harder for our hard-pressed local businesses.

“Shaftesbury’s need for more public car parking has been known for years, even before it lost its free car park to Tesco,” said Mr Thomas.

Traders have already spoken out over proposed price hikes in the four car parks in the town operated by the district council.

The Daily Echo understands the decision has been taken to stem overcrowding in the car park since the closure of the adjacent Southern Auctions car park on days when the livestock market is closed.

Auction bosses say the closure has been made on the advice on Dorset Police in the wake of a spate of vandalism.

A Tesco spokesman said: “Parking limits are put in place to ensure our customers can find a parking space when they visit the store.

“We always listen to our customers and will reduce the parking limit at the store following feedback.”

The issue is to be discussed under urgent business at a meeting of the Shaftesbury and District Chamber of Commerce on Thursday February 11.