Ag 08 april, 2016

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Friday, April 8, 2016

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THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY

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Taking a stand against parking meters, retailers (from left) Tony Todd, Bob McDonald and Carolyn Cameron saying parking metres are killing inner town business. PHOTO TETSURO MITOMO 070416-TM-0015

‘Our retail heart is being killed’ BY SUE NEWMAN

SUE.N@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ

INSIDE

Parking meters are killing Ashburton’s retail heart, say its central business district retailers. The retailers are so concerned at the future of the town centre, a delegation of business owners made a presentation yesterday to Ashburton District councillors, calling on them to remove all parking meters and create one-hour free parking zones in the inner town. Parking meters and particularly the pay-and-display machines that regularly malfunctioned, turned shoppers away at a time when retailers were already struggling, said pharmacist Carolyn Cameron. “We already have about a 20 per cent

vacancy now in the CBD and these meters are acting as a disincentive to people to stop and shop in Ashburton,” she said. “Anecdotally we know the pedestrian foot count on the street is down. Ask any retailer. There will be no main street in 10 years time if you don’t make parking more attractive.” Retailers in the CBD were battling on all fronts for survival, she said, with some opting to move to the edges of town where not only were rentals cheaper but where there was better parking. All were forced to come up with new ways to survive in an environment where e-commerce was well entrenched, Ms Cameron said. “Parking metres are the single biggest

contributor to the decline in business in the CBD. It’s important you understand the viability and vibrancy of the CBD is at stake. Sadly whatever we do, it’s to no avail when we have the council limiting our ability to offer customers services because of parking.” Retailers were focused on ensuring the CBD had a strong heart with few empty shops, clothing retailer Tony Todd said. “The pay-and-display machines are dogs and we’re bearing the brunt of frustrated customers. We’re asking you to remove the meters and put in place time restrictions,” he said.

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