Cheshire East businesses fear plans to axe free parking

People could soon have to pay to park in Alsager

Residents in towns and villages across Cheshire have raised concerns about plans to introduce parking charges in places that have historically had free parking.

Cheshire East Council has said the current system is unfair and not sustainable.

A consultation on the parking charge proposals has been running for six weeks and ends on 1 November.

Feedback from it will be considered in January, said the council.

Proposals for pricing vary depending on area, ranging from 60p to £1.30 for an hour's parking, but some traders fear the plan could put their businesses at risk.

Shop manager Wendy Cotton said the proposals were a big talking point for people in Alsager

The small market town of Alsager has a high street dominated by independent businesses.

It could soon cost money for visitors to park in the council-run car park Fairview, a site that has historically been free.

"I just think it'll have a massive negative impact on all local businesses, I think it'll completely stop people just popping in," said Wendy Cotton, who manages nearby women's clothing retailer Wall Street.

Florist Sam Gregory said she was concerned people who visit the area for services would not spend time looking in shops

A few doors down, Sam Gregory runs florist Flower Passion. She said she could understand why the council were looking at the site but does not think "this is the answer."

"There's no big high street stores to draw people in and you can just imagine that the place will end up just closed down," she said.

Hairdresser Heidi Evans said she thinks parking charges would "destroy" businesses

Hairdresser Heidi Evans has been actively sharing her concerns about the parking review in local social media groups and encouraging residents to fill in the consultation.

"After Covid and Brexit and everything else... we should be supporting businesses and this, in my opinion, is going against us," she said.

So does she see it as a threat to her business?

"When you run a business you always have threats of closure," she said. "You've got to look at every angle so yes, it is a threat."

Coffee shop owner Alex Melhuish said he believes people in Alsager will continue to support local businesses

But Alex Melhuish, who runs Home Coffee and Studio, said he was "not too concerned".

"The residents in Alsager are very passionate about their local businesses and their town. That's been my experience and I think it will continue."

Cheshire East Council said it welcomed all views and comments from residents and businesses and they would be considered as part of the review.

"Parking charges have only been increased once since Cheshire East was formed in 2009," said deputy leader Craig Browne.

"The current arrangements for parking charges across the borough, including where several towns have no charges in all council car parks, are neither fair, nor sustainable."

Income from car parks is used to maintain them and can also help support other services, he added.