Parking restrictions 'hurting business'
BBCShops and businesses in a coastal hotspot have described local parking restrictions as damaging and are calling for changes.
It follows the closure of a well-known independent children's shop in Tynemouth in North Tyneside, late last year, with the owners citing a lack of available spaces and a two-hour limit as the reasons they were forced to shut after 18 years.
Along with a local councillor, business owners said a rethink was needed to make it easier for visitors to park and spend time in the village.
North Tyneside Council said meeting the needs of businesses, visitors and residents was a tricky balancing act but said its "door was always open for discussions".
Stephen Minns, who owns the Tynemouth 61 guest house, described the current arrangements as off-putting for some of his customers.
He said: "On Friday nights, Saturday and Sunday, the busiest days of the week people might have to drive four of five circuits of the village centre before a space becomes free.
"And then it can often be a long way from the guest house for them to carry their luggage."
Other businesses were facing similar challenges including the hairdressers, he said.
"Two hours is not enough for a lady to have a big hairdo and everything else, so three hours is the minimum."
Ian Tennick, from Alev's coffee shop, said: "People want to come up and park and go shopping and there's not enough time.
"It's not very expensive - I'll give it that - but the time concern, it's a problem."
Conservative councillor Lewis Bartoli said a proposal to introduce a three-hour limit, using parking disks, was rejected by the authority about 10 years ago, but believes it should be looked at again.
"It is similar to what they are doing in Morpeth and I think it would work," he said.
"What you don't want is people parking in the nearby streets all day, but what is currently in place isn't working."
John Sparkes, director of regeneration for the council said it was not just Tynemouth - all towns faced a tricky balancing act between meeting the needs of businesses, visitors and residents.
He said: "The current two-hour limit is designed to keep the numbers of visitors flowing, but the council is always monitoring feedback and is open to listening to alternative suggestions.
"Our door is always open for discussions about these matters."
