Business concerned over parking charge rise

Amanda James, owner of Pole Elevation in Coventry, says rises will impact footfall.

The owner of a dance company said city centre parking charge increases will mean less customers signing up for classes.

Amanda James, owner of Pole Elevation in Coventry, said the rise would be "too much" for students and is concerned her business will take a financial hit.

She said she has already noticed a decrease in footfall after the last increase to the Bishop Street car park in November.

Coventry City Council, which is set to increase parking charges by 10% from 6 May, said the decision is due government cuts and its priority has been to protect essential services.

Parking at the council owned car park, on Silver Street, for an hour will increase from £2.00 to £2.20 - with a 10% rise on every hourly charge up to eight hours.

Motorists staying over 24 hours will be paying £10 instead of the current £8 charge.

Ms James, who owns the dance complex on Tower Street, said she ran classes everyday and in the evenings.

"Some students that come here do multiple classes a week so the increase is definitely going to affect them, which in turn will affect me as a business", she said.

Some students attend the studio five times a week - but Ms James says the new charges might deter students from coming in as often.

The rise is set to come in at council-owned short stay and long stay car parks from Monday, May 6

A Coventry City Council spokesperson, said the city council was facing financial pressure due to inflation and rising demand for some services.

"Our priority has been to protect essential services including those that support the most vulnerable while continuing to deliver Council priorities.”