Businesses fear closures over car park fines

Shops fear customers will boycott the private car park in Worthing

Shop owners say they fear losing business and closure because of customers boycotting a private car park which has been fining people up to £100.

There have been complaints about the Manor Parade car park, in Worthing, which is managed by One Parking Solution.

One person claimed they were fined for parking with their wheels on the white lines and said they “will no longer risk” using shops in the parade.

One Parking Solution said it operated in accordance with the British Parking Association and International Parking Community code of practice to enforce its contractual rights.

The company said it disagreed “with all of the assertions” when approached for comment.

Businesses said a new camera was installed last month which led to the fines.

Charlotte Pulling said elderly customers sometimes found it hard to park

Georgina Rickwood, manager at St Barnabas House charity shop, said: “There has been a real increase in the number of people getting parking tickets.

"Some of them are getting tickets if they are parked one inch over the white lines.

“We saw a dramatic reduction in our takings the first week that this parking enforcement started.”

Elaine Stringer said the bays were not wide enough

Pooched Paws owner Charlotte Pulling said: “If they’re just slightly over the line, they will receive a fine.

"I have a lot of elderly customers and sometimes it’s hard for them to park in spaces.

“I have seen online that people are boycotting the businesses because they pop into Co-op and receive a fine. If they boycott the shops small businesses like myself will have to close.”

Customer Elaine Stringer said: “Unless I use my mobility scooter I can’t come in to the parade, the bays aren’t wide enough for your average car.”

One Parking Solution said it followed codes of practice

Landowner W R Roffey Ltd said One Parking Solution recently upgraded the camera.

James Whitaker, director of W R Roffey Ltd, said: "Following complaints from shopkeepers that cars were being parked there all day, we introduced cameras more than three years ago to limit the time parked there to three hours, in order to find a reasonable balance.

"We agree that some cars have become much larger over the decades.

"However there is more free car parking to the rear of the parade.

"W R Roffey Ltd will continue to listen to all stakeholders and One Parking Solution say that, from looking at their data, the parade is as busy as usual.”