Evening parking charges 'detrimental to business'

Until mid-July, it was free to park in Liverpool city centre after 6pm

The scrapping of free evening parking in Liverpool city centre this summer has been described as "detrimental to business".

Free parking after 18:00 ended in July despite nearly 90% of respondents to a council consultation saying they were opposed to the introduction of charges.

Fiona Hornsby, who operates a number of local pubs, said: "The pre-theatre crowd has completely dropped off."

A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said they "acknowledge the concerns" and stressed that a "comprehensive review of the scheme is scheduled for next year".

Ms Hornsby added: "Hospitality is suffering under so much pressure already.

"Everyone's fearful of what's going to come in the Budget.

"We're trying to do things to adapt but it'll never fill the gap.

"Christmas will be the big tell."

'Impacting jobs'

Gary Manning, who has operated hospitality businesses around Hope Street for more than 20 years, said: "It's detrimental to business, we're down on numbers and table times because [parking charges apply] now until 11pm.

"People are staying for just an hour, having a main rather than more courses, drinking less.

"It's not conducive to this side of the city.

"Business has had it hard enough with National Insurance rises and food inflation.

"We have already reduced our shifts and employee numbers so it is impacting jobs."

'Concerns acknowledged'

Mark Da Vanzo, director of Hope Street CIC, said that while it "always supported the need to raise revenue" the extension of parking charges was "introduced quickly and didn't make sense".

He added: "What is unique about Hope Street is there's no real consistency to the spaces and there's not many off-street parking options.

"What we suggested was a flat evening rate which meant people could stay as long as they like.

"Hope Street is an important part of town and we don't want it to suffer."

The council spokesperson said: "We acknowledge the concerns raised by several businesses regarding the impact of the new parking measures, and we are actively listening to all feedback.

"The council is proactively monitoring any effects of the revised operational hours within the Controlled Parking Zone, which includes Hope Street."