Calls for return to free parking in Beeston, Stapleford and Eastwood

The free hour was taken away across the borough in January

Businesses are calling for the scrapping of an hour's free parking in three Nottinghamshire towns in January to be reversed.

Traders in Beeston, Stapleford and Eastwood say the changes to council car parks brought in by Broxtowe Borough Council have been devastating.

They have gathered more than 3,000 signatures.

These will be handed to an extraordinary council meeting on Thursday.

At the meeting, independent councillors will be calling on the authority to review the charges and hold a public inquiry into the impact they have had on businesses.

Businesses face scaling back opening hours and laying off staff, says Hasitha De Silva

Director of Andrew McCulloch Jewellers in Beeston, Hasitha De Silva, said trade had fallen 70% year-on-year.

He told the BBC they had already had to cut hours and lay off staff, and may face reducing opening times.

"We've survived Covid, we've survived the energy crisis, but we've seen a real big difference since January," he said.

"Every single customer has been appalled. People who would have come in here to change a battery in a watch, or pick up a repair, this bread and butter trade has been lost."

Manager of Costa Coffee in Beeston, Simone Fitzpatrick, said they had also been forced to reduce their rotas.

"The footfall has fallen. We're losing those people that just pop in and out for a coffee," she said.

"It just feels quiet, we can tell we're not as rushed around."

Businesses have rallied to fight the charges, says Phillipa Dytham-Double

Philippa Dytham-Double, of Double Image Photography on High Road, said an online petition gathered about 1,000 signatures while businesses had collected 2,000 between them.

He said: "People having a studio session would have had to pay before but those coming to collect their orders or have a passport photo done, for them, it's a real pain.

"We've all grouped together. People in the area are really unhappy about it, and that it's a loss for the town."

Broxtowe Borough Council did not wish to comment other than to say "the motion regarding parking charges will be discussed".

The effect can be seen on the high street, says councillor Richard Macrae

Richard Macrae, head of the group of independent councillors that has called for the meeting on Thursday, said: "It's had a real knock-on effect. You can see the empty shops and lack of people on Stapleford high street, and you can see the car parks aren't as full."

Independent councillor Steve Carr said: "We can't understand why the council has taken this decision, the shortfall is only £39,000 per year. It's a choice they have made, and as a result, it's putting the viability of our town centres at risk."

The council deciding not to subsidise parking is a risk, says Steve Carr