Controversial parking charges are set to begin on Monday at Sumner Road car park in Formby
Sefton Council announced that they would have to start charging for parking at Sumner Road car park last year, despite widespread opposition from traders and residents.
The car park was previously free for the first two hours. The new charges, 30p up to half an hour and £1 up to two hours, which is the maximum stay, were voted through when Sefton Council’s ruling Labour group set this year’s budget at Bootle Town Hall on March 3rd.
Some independant traders have now said they will refund customers who spend more than £5 the 30p charge.
Formby Bubble have been informed that the pay and display charges will commence on Monday 15th August.
Local traders have decided that they will offer a refund of the lowest charge, which will be 30p (Thirty pence), to customers who have a minimum spend of £5. The participating retailers will display the blue badge in their window (see below photo).
Bob McCann, Chair of Formby Parish Council and Borough Councillor for Ravenmeols ward, said to Formby Bubble: "Despite overwhelming opposition to this charging scheme from the Parish Council and many ward councillors, along with members of the public and local traders, Sefton Borough have imposed the charging scheme onto us. Everybody in Formby is worried about the effect this will have on the village. The Parish Council have therefore asked for ideas to try and mitigate these charges."
Bob went on to say: "Various ideas were considered and it was finally agreed that this scheme was the most affordable. Whilst a 30 pence refund may not appear much we must recognise that our traders are working on very tight margins as it is. This is a gesture and should be welcomed as an attempt to maintain footfall in the village."
Charging is scheduled to start on Monday 15th August but, this date is not set in stone so please keep checking the Bubble for the confirmed date.
Traders who are participating in the scheme will display a small badge in their window which you can see above. Please remember that this is a 'Gesture' from the traders and to obtain the 30p refund, you must spend £5 minimum in the shop.
There has been a lot of opposition about the charges, Read the original story here:
Tell us what you think about the charges. Email to: info@formbybubble.com
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