BUSINESSES in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have vented their anger over BCP Council’s decision to axe free Christmas parking this year.

The four business improvement districts (BIDs) for the towns have described the decision as a “hammer blow” for hard-pressed retailers.

And business owners across the conurbation have hit out at the decision following the news.

Pascal Longhurst, general manager of Mr Mulligans in Bournemouth's BH2 centre, said: “We’re sad to see the free festive parking discontinued. In a time where we are all feeling the pinch, small reliefs such as these encourage people to the town centre and allow venues such as Mr Mulligans to thrive.”

Colin Parnell, of Centre VR in Bournemouth, said: “I appreciate it would reduce the income slightly for BCP, but it will certainly not provide the extra little incentive to shoppers to fill the town on otherwise quieter nights.”

Andreas Booth, from Specsavers in Bournemouth, said: “Businesses are currently in the eye of the storm, with staff recruitment issues, rising costs and the cost-of-living crisis impacting them on a day-to-day basis.

“Right now, we need BCP Council to stand with us and to provide support to our high streets and trading areas, in order to help those businesses survive what will be a long winter season.”

Stavy Antoniou, of Matisse Beauty Clinic in Christchurch, said: "We will definitely be affected by no free parking. There’s no encouragement to shop local and support the local businesses. Most people will just head to Castlepoint. Yet again it’s killing off the high street."

Alison Moore, of Sugar Mango in Southbourne, said: “Free parking in the lead-up to Christmas is very helpful as it encourages more shoppers to our high street, and away from Castlepoint. As a local, independent trader I am worried that taking this away will negatively affect many businesses on the high street, just when they need as much support as possible. The council should reconsider their decision.”

One Poole trader, who did not want to be identified, said: “This is a terrible idea. We track our footfall and we have never got back up to pre covid levels in Poole high Street. When you add in the factor that people are more stretched financially, they will resort to shopping out of town in Castlepoint or online.

“Not everyone can travel by train or bike, some don’t even have the buses anymore. Our shop was trading at over £3,000 per week in the summer and we have seen a drop, losing around £500 each week since the start of October and the first fuel rise.”

Ian Saul, chief executive of Bella Bean in Boscombe, said: “Having multiple businesses in the area I am extremely worried about their future due to a bleak financial forecast and recession looming. We hoped for the council's full support in trying to kickstart local businesses after a troubling time. I am aware of the push towards Buses and Beryl bikes.

“I am concerned this has not been thought out without any consideration for those with certain health concerns or those with anxieties or those who struggle with direct interaction. Both forms of transport just don't support disabilities of this nature and furthermore many elderly people are still concerned about Covid and will wish to protect themselves by traveling in a safe environment.”

Darren Wardman, co-owner of Street Goose Bar & Kitchen in Bournemouth's Yelverton Road, said: “It’s not specifically about paying a few extra pounds for car parking, it’s the cumulative effect that moves like this have. BCP are strangling us small businesses in the town centre by actively pushing people away, which makes us repeatedly wonder what we pay our rates for.”

Luke Dennison, of Ashes Menswear of Bournemouth, in Old Christchurch Road said: “What on earth are the council playing at? With a harsh enough world and climate conditions for bricks and mortar retailers to fight against, the one thing that the council does to help its rates payers is now being taken away.”

The Daily Echo contacted BCP Council for a further comment on the decision.