Sudbury Shopkeepers Urge Local Shopping Amid New Parking Fees
Local shopkeepers in Sudbury are concerned as new parking charges may deter shoppers
Sudbury, Parking Charges, Shop Local, Babergh District Council, Community
Sudbury: Shopkeepers are feeling anxious after new parking fees rolled out in the area. They’re really hoping folks will continue to shop local despite the changes.
Starting Monday, the Babergh District Council introduced new tariffs at car parks in Sudbury, Hadleigh, and Lavenham. This means no more three hours of free parking, which the council said they just couldn’t afford anymore.
Jamie Towells, who runs Jamie’s Meat Inn, is trying to help by offering to cover a full day’s parking if customers spend £30 in his shop. He’s worried about the quiet streets and said it’s a “use us or lose us” situation.
Jenny Hay, who owns Rewind Records, echoed his concerns. She mentioned how slow business has been lately, with only a couple of customers coming in. It’s especially tough since it’s her first year in business.
Another local, Lizzy Munson from the Therapy Room, noticed the car park was empty when it used to be packed. She’s even thinking about moving her business to a place with free parking.
Steve and Tony Byfield, who run Ray’s Retro Classic Toys, said their sales have dropped significantly since the new charges started. They’re worried that the fees might increase in the future.
The new parking rates are £1 for an hour, £1.50 for two hours, and so on, with long-stay options available too. Babergh leaders say these changes are necessary to tackle budget issues, claiming the previous free parking cost them £425,000.
Opinions from shoppers are mixed. Some fear the new charges will hurt the town, while others think it’s about time for a change. A council spokesperson mentioned they had to introduce these fees to keep essential services running.
They believe that the success of a town isn’t just about parking fees and that Sudbury has a lot to offer visitors, even if it means paying a little to park.