Town centre night parking fee
Tuesday 31st March 2009, 12:00PM BST.
Evening parking charges have been introduced by the new owners of Telford Shopping Centre as a way of boosting their income.
Bosses say the flat rate 50p ticket after 6pm offers excellent value for money and is competitive with other towns and cities.
But anti-parking charge campaigner Vic Tonks claims it is yet another way of squeezing the motorist and will drive people away.
Chris Jones, director of Telford Shopping Centre, today said: “We trialled evening parking charges a few weeks ago as an experiment and have decided to bring them in permanently.”
He said it came about after auditors discovered the centre was missing out on income due to shoppers staying on at car parks after 6pm or people using the centre’s car parks in the evening to visit places like the town park.
“Our auditors said evening parking charges were a revenue generating stream and so we decided to extend the period to 11pm – basically closing a gate that was left open.
“It’s a flat rate charge of 50p for anyone who arrives after 6pm. Before that, people will continue to pay the standard daily bands.”
Mr Jones said staff would remain on duty to supervise evening parking although the 11pm cut-off time might be brought earlier, depending on how things went.
He added: “I have only been here a year and am absolutely astounded at the fuss people make about parking charges in Telford.
“I know we all like to complain but evening charges in towns and cities are nothing unusual. And we are very competitive with other places.”
But Councillor Tonks, whose Telford & Wrekin People’s Association originally sprang out of opposition to parking charges, said: “This is a backward step when we are trying to encourage business in the town centre.
“I can’t see the logic of evening charges, unless it’s a precursor to getting a big boost in income by charging all the people who will come to the proposed night clubs and bars in the town centre.”
Parking charges were first introduced by the former owners of the shopping centre, USS, in 2003 to a chorus of complaints.
Current owner Hark Apollo, which bought the centre for £442 million in 2007, immediately scrapped free parking on Sundays and for late-night shopping on Thursdays.
The latest charges effectively end any free parking in the town centre.
By Peter Johnson
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So they ‘trialled’ them did they? And I bet they were inundated by motorists telling them what a marvellous idea it was, and how it made their lives so much easier.
Why this pretence that there is some sort of ‘buy-in’ from the public – it’s nonsense!
There were already fewer and fewer reasons to go the the Town Centre – here’s yet another one.
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Just what’s needed in the recession eh?!
It would be nice to think that Telford Shopping Centre would be boycotted by the public. When the shops start seeing their takings drop even more, the management of the Centre might start to think harder when the shops end their tenancies.
If you’re one of the lucky people who live near a local ‘corner’ or convenience shop, it might be a good time to start patronising it. It might be more expensive initially, but probably won’t be once you take into account the parking charges in the Shopping Centre. Which, of course, will now be regularly and quietly increased at every opportunity.
After ‘trialling’ – of course ;-)
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fair enough a fair price will be good for the environment and encourage people to cycle more
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I stopped shopping regularly at the town centre when charges were introduced.
I occasionally walk there a couple of times a year.
car parking charges may bring in more income for the centre owners but it will certainly cause a loss of revenue for the traders
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Our wonderful council are spending millions to try and convince us that the town centre can become a magnificent night time economy with restaurants, pubs, clubs and entertainment.
The owners of the said town centre impose parking charges to boost their income – thus contradicting what the council are wasting millions trying to do.
Asda buy the council building so they can abandon their town centre site because the parking fees are hitting their trade.
The total lack of joined up thinking beggars belief.
I do not now go into the town centre – I can get everything I need on the retail parks where I don’t have to pay to park – and if and when I do I will park on the adjoinig roads and walk in or go to one of the other retail parks.
The only way to stop this victimisation of the public is for us all to abandon Telford town centre forthwith – together we stand but divided we fall – and boy will we fall.
The people of Telford deserve everything they get as they are too weak willed to stand up against this nonsense – prepare to pay through the nose – you brought it on yourselves!!
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I think 50p to park in a safe, level (check out sainsburys carpark for pot holes galore), well lit and secure car park is pretty good value to be honest.
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To some extent, Bob Dobbs is right. But Telford Shopping Centre Management will be banking on everyone else thinking the same thing. I mean, what’s 50p??
But it all mounts up. And slowly but surely they’ll increase the charge, and then find ways of squeezing more money out of you through other charges…..
As for joined up thinking, I don’t think we can realistically expect that with a public local authority and a private shopping centre which is ultimately a business out to make money.
But it’ll be good to see all those cyclists and walkers eh? I won’t hold my breath though.
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Well it’s just another reason to walk to your local and shop online. By the way, it’s still free to park at Merry Hill and infinitely better than Telford.
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Did you acolytes of the “Great God Kar” think that you were going to get all of the Blessings he bestows on you for “Free” …… like all Totems there is a tithe to be paid and one should! …. if one is true believer be glad to do so! ……. of course if this comes through as a load of old tosh! ….. then get off your butts and walk or cycle to your venue! …………………….
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Our shopping centre is dying there are several empty units in there already, the ones that are still occupied have seen their rents and service charges steadily increased. Local managers are powerless to negotiate over the charges as head offices deal with the contracts and don’t see paying for parking as such as important issue. Many retailers are ready to pull out because the custom just isn’t there anymore, I can see 12 or 18 months down the line you all complaining that the’re no shops in Telford, many of us work there and face losing our already low paid jobs. If you want to keep your Town Centre you’ll just have to bite the bullet and pay the charges alternatively there’s a pretty decent bus service you can travel on for £45.00 a month.
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I think you’ll find that Merry Hill – sooner or later – will introduce charging.
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The argument that “every other town does it” is spurious. Just because everyone else does it doesn’t mean it’s right. One of the many reasons I chose to move to Telford from Stratford upon Avon last year was the ease of getting around (traffic congestion is minimal compared to Stratford) and the lack of parking fees in all shopping centres except the Town Centre. I shop at my local Co-op or go to one of the retail parks. The people who think we should all walk or cycle are obviously not old and unable to carry heavy weights like me.
I love my new home in Telford but I do hope it is not going to ruined by greed and commercialism like Stratford upon Avon.
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@ T Bill & salopian.
If I was running a shop in the town centre, the last thing that I would want is a sweaty cyclist poisoning the fresh air with their b.o. If I was running a clothes shop, you would not even be allowed in. I wouldn’t want potential customers being forced to try on clothing tainted by sweaty cyclists from previous fittings.
Moreover, if the town centre – or, indeed, any centre – was entirely visited by shoppers on bikes, then trade would collapse. What will you buy if travelling there on a bike? A pair of socks? Luggage capacity on a bike, let’s not forget, is pretty minimalist.
“walk or cycle to your venue” LMAO!
What? Walk from – say – Bridgnorth to Merry Hill. Sheesh.
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If the TTC owners installed a number of working cameras on all car parks, which were constantly monitored by staff with clear recorded pictures together with car park wardens to deal with any problems rather than a buzzer system then fees would be worthwhile. At least then we may feel we were getting our money’s worth and if damage is caused to a parked vehicle that the culprit can be found.
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Does anyone else remember that when Telford Town Centre was established as a hopeful New Town free parking was supposed to be part of the franchise?
Those old postcards of Telford Town Centre with huge parking areas and just a few cars dotted about certainly make one feel old compared to today’s Motortown.
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I use the town centre as little as possible, my bank is there and that is the only reason I go and keep it to a minimum. As for parking at night don’t go, have better things to do, but would certainly not pay.
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Park in Telford at night?! No thanks I’d rather my car was still there and undamaged when I got back to it!
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T Bill, I think everyones point is, don’t we pay enough in Road tax etc, withough having to pay extra to park the car?
ASDA are the prime example…why are they buying out of town centre if the parking charges are in the interest of the public and boost trade..? Why should i park at Telford town centre ASDA when i can drive less miles to donnington ASDA and park for free!!! Don’t you think the motorist pays enough… I don’t see all that money generated from road tax and fuel being spent on the roads…so you must be benefitting from it!
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I wonder if these people complaining above would allow people to park free of charge on the driveway’s they own? Or whether they would charge for someone
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Y Mab,
I think if I were inviting people to come and buy goods from my house, then yes, I probably would allow them to park on my drive for free. Charging them might put them off buying!
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Oh dear, and just when I was hoping that Hark’s management team would be an improvement over the previous narrow-mindedness of Friends Provident.
I would imagine that the businesses that will be most affected by this scheme will be the Thomas Botfield and Macdonalds. Its not made clear whether the Pay & Display car park outside the Thomas Botfield will be affected, but as the parking in that area is already quite limited you will find Wetherspoons customers regularly parking outside Iceland.
What a strange way to encourage evening trade?
If I needed one more reason NOT to go into the soul-less monolith that is Telford Shopping Centre I think I just found it!
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I suppose there is an element of enivironmental consieration – they charge – people don’t go there, they shop local.. things are better. Aside from that – I was unfortunate to have to go there a few weeks ago – its looking tatty and so many shops on short lease or just closed. Y Mab – I’ve seen better ripostes from you – that one was weak and easily shot down.
The owners know they’ve a strangle-hold of the ‘town centre’ (which isn’t!) and are prepared to squeeze out the last penny. They’er not operating for the community in any way – they are needing to show a profit for investors for that when they sell it on.
As regards ‘town centre’ there really isn’t a Telford town centre – there are Telfords’ towns centres, support them and the local shops so the money stays near or in the community not some her today gone tommorrow investment organisation.
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Cleensheets! …………. There was a day once when “Honest Sweat” was the very essence upon which GREAT Britain was founded! ……… You must be one of the New Guy’s/Gal’s ……….
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I have an idea let’s refocus the town centre on the Dawley High Street regeneration – while we are at it we could change the name to Dawley New Town
;)
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And I am grateful, T Bill, for the “honest” sweat that was expended in the effort to progress technology and society.
But “honest” sweat still lives today. It manifests itself in the labours of the fishermen who put cod on your plate; the efforts of the emergency services who save your loved ones; the endeavours of the construction workers who build schools for your kids and leisure centres for their recreation. The effort, and long hours spent, mining the raw materials to produce your bicycle, on which you expend sweat for no other reason than to exude insufferable smugness.
Yea. I’m a “new guy”. Modern life is great! Compared to living in a cave for example. Or being a Victorian Dad…
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bring it on, our congested roads need more charges to discourage people from driving so much
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I’ve never read so much ignorance and apathy.
I just don’t know what to say and quite frankly I don’t care either.
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>> “The latest charges effectively end any free parking in the town centre.”
Do they charge for parking bicycles and motorcycles now?
Seriously, I have the introduction of Telford Town Centre parking charges for getting me off my butt and on my bike back when they were first introduced in 2003.
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cleansheets
you are so sad and nead to get a life i bet you drive round in a 4by4 and modem life is not good
it was a lot better years a go just go back to your shower
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When will you “save the planet and ride a bike” loonies wake up – climate change is a HUGE con and an excellent excuse for taxing us to the hilt – the world has been here for many years and seen many changes and we have not influenced any of them.
I take all my recycling to landfill, I drive a large 4X4, and I fly whenever I can – to hell with the consequences – because other than taxation there are not going to be any.
Climate change keeps the terminally daft employed and ensures that the authorities can tax us and control us – you think I’m mad – dam right I’m mad but then I didn’t believe the weapons of mass destruction con either.
wake up and stop being conned – or go and find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow to buy yourself a new bike!!
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cleensheets,…….. You are correct! … there is “Honest Sweat” expended today! … but unfortunately the ratio has become a little lopsided and we have much more now sucking on the hind teat of the “Nanny State” in your Utopian Modern Life ……..
I ride my bicycle now more for pleasure than for convenience! …. and I thank God that at my age I can still do so and it must be stated that under the Stewardship of you New Guys! … isn’t Great Britain doing well just Now!!…………….
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Serotonin, I’d hope that most people heading for Wetherspoons wouldn’t be driving considering that its a pub and all and who cares about MacDonalds? Its a faceless chain that sells nothing but obesity inducing junk. With the amount of people reluctant to leave their cars and the need to protect the business of poor poor MacDonalds this town is heading for fatty timebomb.
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T Bill
I’m ever so glad you agree that bicycles are more for pleasure than convenience. It makes a mockery of your initial comment about using cycles to go shopping in town centres. And GB isn’t alone in doing well; the whole human race is!
Without honest sweat, and decent courage, we’d all be looking over the next hill being scared of what’s on the other side, and retreating to a cave.
And, nijel, no. I do not drive a 4×4. I drive a normal car. Your assumptions are foundationless, as is your comment that I am sad. Please post your supporting information to substantiate your assertions.
I can state nijel, without fear of contradiction, that your punctuation needs addressing. And next time, nijel, try and quote my name correctly. Many thanks in anticipation……
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“All town centres do it”, well know one told Sheffield. I visited Sheffield last year and was told by a parking attendant that all on street parking was free after 6 pm to encourage people to come into the city centre.
Someone needs to tell Shrewsbury council and maybe it will stop it from becoming even more of a ghost town in the evenings.
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I only go to Telford Town Centre twice a year, and that is just to visit my hubcabs that were stolen 3 or 4 years ago.
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Ken, you’re damn lucky thats all they took – was the rest of the car a pile of junk?
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cleenseets, ….. would seem you are bouncing from one contradiction to another! ….. but no never mind! ……I am in my 86th year now was a young man once! … and full of oneself just like you! …. I also wore a Uniform … carried a Big Pack and a light machine gun and with a lot of other young men crossed the Straits of Messina to help rid the World of a most unpleasant bunch people! ……… had we have failed I can assure you that you would have had a lot more to concern you than being asked to pay a modest stipend for the privilege of parking your totem at a shopping precinct! …….
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this is typical eu and labour anti car, we at the conservative party will make life easier for the motorist and making parkinf free for all, its a god given right to park where you like, never let the EU take that freedom
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Always amuses me when I stumble across Telford-related links. You cretins don’t know anything about the real world and like to rant and rave about rubbish like this. Hilarious.
Practically every significant population centre in the UK has parking charges. Telford is the exception here. The problem is that the residents of Telford are unwilling to use public transport unlike the rest of the country.
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Alfred: I would love to use public transport but we don’t have any as such.
I was stunned to discover that millions were spent on the new freight rail terminal but they don’t take live stock.
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