Strict parking laws threaten to shut shop after 150 years

Published: 28 May, 2010

• FOR more than 150 years our family have run a popular fish shop in Essex Road.
Now our business is under threat more than ever before because of draconian parking restrictions.

There are no more than 900 fish shops in Britain, according to recent figures, and we don’t want to be the next closure.

Most of the small specialist shops in the road are reliant on through trade but even with a few parking bays (which don’t operate at certain times of the day) it is often impossible for motorists to park in the road.

As a result the traditional character of Islington has changed beyond recognition. Look at Camden Passage antiques market, a shadow of its former self.

People who once came to the borough have now got fed up trying to find somewhere to park at £2.40 an hour or whatever it is. Or have decided not to come since the businesses are no longer here to attract them. Or have been put off because they received a fine for simply stopping by the kerb to let someone out.

We are appealing to the new Labour council to take action to save small shops like our own. We need a proper examination of our needs and more parking bays.  

Otherwise, it will be more mini-supermarkets and sweet shops selling booze and no specialist shops.
STEVE HATT
Fishmongers, Essex Road
N1