Bookham traders offering parking discount to save shops
SHOPKEEPERS in Bookham have introduced a scheme refunding customers who have to pay for newly-introduced parking charges to use their stores.
The parade of shops in Grove Corner is offering a 30p refund to anyone who spends £5 in-store and presents a parking ticket from the Lower Shott car park nearby.
The scheme comes after Mole Valley District Council introduced a pay-and-display machine at the previously free car park in September – a move which shopkeepers say has hurt their trade.
Speaking to the Advertiser after the launch of the scheme, Peter Davies, owner of greengrocers The Fruit Grove for 34 years, said: "It's vital we get people coming in as shops these days are always at risk.
"At first we supported parking charges as long as there was a still a free, short-stay period available so customers could pop in and out for free, but that hasn't happened.
"The problem beforehand was that cars were parking there and not using the shops, as was their right, and all the shops got complaints from customers saying they couldn't get into the shops."
The council introduced a "penny a minute" rate as part of the new charges, in which users could park for 30 minutes for 30p, the ticket the shops are now offering to refund.
"We understand customers might just want to pop in and to have to pay £5 to get parking back might seem a lot but we have already had previous customers come back because of this initiative," said Mr Davies.
"These shops are struggling to survive and unless we can get the customers to come back then everyone is at risk. It's vital we get people coming."
Speaking after the charges were implemented, district council leader Chris Townsend said they were introduced to appease shop owners who have complained of vehicles outstaying their welcome.
"Lower Shott traders told us that many of the spaces in the car park were being taken up by people who leave their cars there all day, making it more difficult for shoppers to access their businesses," he said.
"We want to support these important local businesses by introducing pay-and-display parking, while also bringing the car park in line with all of our other car parks, which are pay and display."
He continued: "We hope the changes will help people to access Bookham's shops and other businesses more easily.
"Introducing the 30p charge will hopefully encourage those wanting to 'pop and shop' for a very low fee. They will also have the security of parking in a safe car park, rather than on the road."
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