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Traders Mike Weedon, Frank Johnson, Hisako Weedon, Janet Holdstock and Danny Oh |
Shops welcome free Christmas parking
Traders hope lifting restrictions will boost business
SMALL shops are looking forward to the first day of Islington’s free parking scheme in the run-up to Christmas tomorrow (Saturday).
Businesses throughout the borough have welcomed the scheme, which will mean pay and display meters will be free for the next three Saturdays to encourage those who wish to shop by car.
Camden Passage traders described the move as a big boost in the midst of the current recession. Mike Weedon, on behalf of the Passage traders’ association, said: “They did something similar in Portobello Road for a month and it was extremely successful.”
Janet Holstock, of lighting shop Turn On, said it is a “brilliant” idea. She said she would like to see parking restrictions relaxed throughout the year.
“It would give our businesses a really big boost,” she added. “We lose a lot of business due to heavy-handed parking.”
At Angel Flowers in Upper Street, owner Marco Wouters said he was very pleased.
“Some people don’t come to Upper Street any more because of the parking problems,” he said. “They get a ticket and that’s it. “
Laura Saile, manager at Hart Gallery, also in Upper Street, said: “People might want to pop in but worry about getting a ticket. Also, people who deliver or collect paintings and sculptures won’t have to worry if their ticket runs out.”
Hak Huseyin, chairman of the Archway Town Centre Management Group, who runs Absolute Print in Archway Road, said: “As we all know, there is a credit crunch so anything that can help the shops is welcome.
“We have been pushing to get the Saturday restrictions lifted, although we were hoping it would be for more than three weeks – we were hoping for three months. By lifting Saturday restrictions, I can see shops increasing their takings by 20 to 25 per cent.”
Councillor Terry Stacy, leader of the council, said: “We hope that this free parking trial will be a big boost in the run-up to Christmas for Islington’s traders and shoppers alike.
“This is our latest initiative showing the Lib-Dem commitment to helping local businesses and residents beat the credit crunch.” |
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