‘Give our customers somewhere to park or shops will close’ - Say Essex Traders
Published: 11 February, 2011
by PETER GRUNER
Traders warn that new bus lanes have hit business so bad that family outlets face extinction
SMALL shopkeepers in one of Islington’s busiest streets are facing a new threat from parking restrictions, it emerged this week.
Traders in Essex Road have warned that, unless there are improvements, within 10 years small family shops which have traded for generations will be replaced by fast-food outlets, charity shops, cafés or just empty premises.
They spoke out amid claims that new bus lanes introduced by Transport for London (TfL) in the lower part of the road towards the former Mecca Bingo hall have reduced parking and resulted in a sharp drop in trade.
At Jimmy’s Shoes, which has been trading for more than 50 years, parking changes implemented in December are said to have caused a 20 per cent fall in trade.
The shop’s owner, George Nicolaou, said: “We are seriously concerned about these changes to our business, particularly because the bus lane filter that has been put outside our shop was not on the original plans. These new changes have taken place without considered consultation.”
Steve Hatt, whose family have run a fishmonger’s in Essex Road since 1895, believes that there will be few family shops left within 10 years.
“Either the council should reduce our rent and rates or provide sufficient parking bays,” he said. “Our business has been reduced by 30 per cent since restrictions were introduced.”
Ronke Lawal, chief executive of Islington’s Chamber of Commerce, visited traders on Monday to hear their problems.
Ms Lawal said: “This has been a popular shopping thoroughfare for generations. But shopkeepers feel they are being unfairly targeted by parking restrictions.
“It seems there is a lot more flexibility in Upper Street than there is in Essex Road. I understand that dozens of shops in the road have been forced to close over the past few years, mainly because of parking restrictions.”
Jackie Emery, who has run Market Garden greengrocers for 13 years, also believes the parking restrictions are killing trade.
“How can we compete with the supermarkets when our customers have nowhere to park?” she asked. “People who want to support small shops like ours should stand up and call for fewer restrictions.”
Labour councillor Martin Klute, vice-chairman of the Town Hall planning committee, is taking up the issue with Tfl. “It appears the new system and resulting changes in parking may not have been what was previously agreed with the traders. I intend to find out,” he said.
“But whether or not this is true, it is unacceptable that a relentless desire to shave a few more seconds off bus journeys, along with draconian enforcement of parking restrictions, should threaten businesses that provide essential and useful services.”
Cllr Klute pointed out that most shops in Upper Street have free 20-minute bays while in Essex Road there is two-hour, pay-and-display parking.
Lib Dem councillor Susan Buchanan wants a better deal for traders. “Jimmy’s Shoes has supplied Islington children with footwear for over 50 years, but now mothers are being put off by the fact they have to cross a busy road with tiny children,” she said.
“Aston Matthews was established 188 years ago and other businesses in this stretch of Essex Road have existed for many years. We all know that times are difficult and business will be tougher. However, to lose these parking bays as well is a double whammy.”