Stroud traders - We want free parking, not loyalty card
FURIOUS shopkeepers are threatening to boycott the council's planned new Stroud district loyalty card.
More than 30 privately-run businesses in Stroud town centre have signed a petition demanding free parking in council-run car parks after 3pm to boost trade, instead of the card.
The traders' spokeswoman Fiona Mills-Carlyon said the problem with the idea was that businesses couldn't afford to offer extra discounts to cardholders.
"The financial implications of this proposal are completely untenable," said Mrs Mills-Carlyon, who runs Moonflower ladies' clothing store.
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"Most businesses offer their own discounts, promotions and loyalty schemes so could not afford to offer an additional discount," she said.
Stroud District Council announced last month that it would launch the district-wide card next month, to encourage local trading.
The project would offer all 112,000 district residents discounts and would be free to join and use, it said.
Restaurants, tradespeople and hotels as well as shops could all join the scheme run by My Loyalty Card Ltd, said the council.
But Mrs Mills-Carlyon said the 31 businesses which signed the petition felt it was untrue there was no cost to participate.
"I did a very rough sum and after offering a percentage discount the bottom line was that it was unaffordable," she said.
The independent traders therefore believed the alternative of "free after three" on council car parks would equally well increase footfall, Mrs Mills-Carlyon said.
Roger Sanders (L Uplands), the Stroud District Council executive member for regeneration said he was disappointed by the traders' reaction.
"We want to do something about car parking," Mr Sanders said.
"It will be on the agenda in January. But car parking is a different pot of council money."
Mr Sanders said: "We consulted with the Concordat and the Chamber of Trade three months or so ago.
"Not one person has complained to me. I am always in Stroud. I shop in Stroud myself and not one person has approached me," he said. "We want to sit down and talk with them. The first time it was brought to my attention was at a meeting on Wednesday night," Mr Sanders said on Friday.
Comments
by Bonkim2003
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 11:29PM
“Yes - Stroud is a nice town with many niche shops missing from Gloucester, etc - go to Ross on Wye similar a bit smaller and not hilly like Stroud but best thing - 1 or 2 hour free on-street parking close to centre. I am sure a high proportion of Forest residents travel to Ross or Gloucester or Monmouth out of town shopping locations to avoid the hassle - not just the cost but having to time your movements to avoid penalties.
The tragedy is locations such as the Forest of Dean latchin on to making money from car parks by restricting on-street spaces, - no reason in the Forest of dean which is not as crowded as Gloucester or Stroud.”
by bonzaharris1
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 11:18PM
“I cannot totally disagree withyou on that one Bonkim, much rather not pay any parking charges at all the motorist is hammered enough, which one of many reasons why I havn't been anywhere near Gloucester for many a month. I do most of my shopping at supermarkets, or shops on retail parks. Not just because of parking charges, but so much easier to access. My last memory of Gloucester was hideous traffic, and more road works than you can shake a stick at. I don't mind paying for parking at Stroud, charges are reasonable, and it is a nice town to wander around and shop in.”
by Bonkim2003
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 11:07PM
“Don't like parking charges on principle. Small government best - cut out the complex high cost multi-bin waste collection system if money is short.
Small government is best.”
by Bonkim2003
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 11:02PM
“I don't think one should pay for parking in principle. Charges - any charge drives people to out of town shopping malls/super stores, etc. I also believe in small-government, and councils should cut their coat according to available cloth - much money wasted on high value poorly thought through services such as the multi-bin waste collection, IT, etc. As a business - porly managed, high overheads, and poor contracting skills.”
by bonzaharris1
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 10:51PM
“Bonkim, the charges in Stroud are as cheap as chips. Even Mr Bonza, who is scrooge personified doesn't baulk at their parking charges. As it is usually busy in the morning, perhaps they want to encourage people to come and shop after 3pm if it is quieter. To be honest I don't think it will make much difference, most people seem to prefer to shop earlier in the day, I certainely do. Most towns are generally busier in the mornings and early afternoon, always have been.”
by bonzaharris1
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 10:50PM
“Bonkim, the charges in Stroud are as cheap as chips. Even Mr Bonza, who is scrooge personified doesn't baulk at their parking charges. As it is usually busy in the morning, perhaps they want to encourage people to come and shop after 3pm if it is quieter. To be honest I don't think it will make much difference, most people seem to prefer to shop earlier in the day, I certainely do. Most towns are generally busier in the mornings and early afternoon, always have been.”
by Bonkim2003
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 8:35PM
“Well done Stroud Shopkeepers, only direct action will succeed. You will set an example to other locations where car park charges are driving shoppers away to outside their area.”
by Bonkim2003
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 8:35PM
“Well done Stroud Shopkeepers - only direct action will succeed. You will set an example to other locations where car park charges are driving shoppers away to outside their area.”
by Bonkim2003
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 8:34PM
“Well done Stroud Shopkeepers - only direct action will succeed. You will set an example to other locations where car park charges are driving shoppers away to outside their area.”
by bonzaharris1
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 4:43PM
“Don't know what the fuss is about, most places its only 80p for one hour, and £1 for two hours, hardly offputting.”