Businesses hit out at Arun on parking fees

The annual meeting of Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce was told that the intention to increase the charges would further hit a town centre already struggling.

Chamber vice chairman Ian Harding said: "Taxi drivers have agreed to freeze their fares this year. So why can't Arun agree to freeze their parking charges.

"That will help to encourage people into the town centre shops. They need all the help they can get. They are losing more and more business to online shopping and out of town stores."

Jim Brooks, the town council's representative on the chamber, urged Arun to make a decision quickly.

"The longer councillors delay in saying they are even thinking about the matter the more it makes them seem insensitive and sends out the wrong message. They should say there will not be any increase at all," he said.

Cllr Brooks has devised a scheme for two hours' free parking between 9am and 11am in the town centre sites and has put this to Arun. He claims the idea would cost little money because the car parks are often empty at that time.

"Arun takes most of its money after then and most of the spaces are empty before then. Having the free parking would encourage people to come in and do their shopping earlier and provide a good kickstart to the day for traders," he stated.

Nick Stuart Nicolson, the chamber's chairman and president, supported the idea of free parking. He said: "Car parking is central to everything in the town."

Chamber executive committee member Paul Wells invited those at the meeting to join him in discussing the issue with Cllr Paul Wotherspoon, the Arun member in charge of parking, at 6.30pm next Wednesdayin the town hall.

Nick Stuart Nicolson was re-elected as the chamber's chairman and president at the annual meeting.

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