Parking tickets are 'hurting businesses' in St Helens town centre

The owners of Vigour restaurant in Bridge Street have said the issue has affected theirs, and other businesses in the town centre.

They said numerous customers have had parking tickets, as well as staff and even suppliers at the back of their premises, while they have been unloading stock.

They have called for a swift solution and asked for a “common sense” approach from wardens – making a suggestion for parking permits for local businesses.

They say the issue has been exacerbated since the demolition of Chalon Way car park, claiming it is “counter-intuitive” to strip back parking without alternative provision being in place.

READ > £1.7m development for residents with social care needs nears completion

While recognising that parking provision does form part of the regeneration plans for the town centre, they say an immediate solution to help businesses is needed now.

“It is frustrating for us,” said Ant Georgiou, one of the owners of the Bridge Street restaurant which has been in the town centre for seven years.

“Generally hospitality benefits from this time of year but we seem to suffer and the council need to be trying everything they can to help local businesses that are still open rather than imposing us with tickets.

“I have been here for the last hour (on Monday afternoon) and two more customers have been moved. It’s becoming a frequent thing and it’s getting to the point where people don’t come back.

“We supply a service, as owners we should be able to park at the back to unload stock or to help with busy periods. I have had three tickets in the past seven days.

“I don’t want to park for free, I expect to pay my way but some common sense from the wardens, if you see a customer that’s finishing a meal give them five minutes  to support local businesses that may be struggling.”

The owners of Vigour said the issue feels like a constant battle (Image: Stock)

Ant added: “We recognise that the council do a lot of good for the town and the regeneration plans for the place which is amazing, but it seems to be a battle.

“When you go into the cities they have a lot more spaces and single yellow lines, here everything is double yellow. What’s the point? People don’t want free parking on Saturdays, that doesn’t benefit the town.”   

Ant said that they have had council staff reach out to them since they raised the issue earlier this week and hope that a solution can be put in place.

Parking tickets are deterring customers from using the town centre, it has been claimed (Image: Stock)

Fellow owner Scott Anderson said the issue has been exacerbated since the demolition of Chalon Way car park.

He said: “It seems like there are more wardens but there’s nowhere to park. It affects us staff, suppliers and customers especially.

“If they get a ticket, it is like it’s our responsibility because they don’t come back. It would be ideal to have parking on Bridge Street, I know that’s in the plans but we need something now. There’s no reason for people to come into the town if they can’t park.”

The Star has contacted St Helens Borough Council for a comment on the issue.