We are pleased Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) agreed to meet (on Wednesday 28th August) with a small group of our Northampton town centre businesses to discuss the on-street parking charges proposal. The meeting, originally scheduled for an hour, was two hours long, with businesses vocal about the proposal.
NCC told businesses that the parking proposal was financially driven, rather than motivated by a desire to reduce congestion. This was challenged by the group as letters issued to the businesses stated that congestion (as well as better use of the spaces available and the environmental impact) was the rationale behind the proposal.
At the meeting BID businesses formally asked NCC for the following:
- To see a summary of submissions in response to the parking charges proposal and a meeting to discuss these.
- To set up a working group to enable BID businesses to help the Council look at and identify alternative proposals.
Brendan Bruder, Co-chair of the BID, summarised: “The meeting was impassioned, and businesses did a superb job at representing not only themselves, but also businesses in their geographical area. There were a small number of businesses who were not able to attend on the day, but they sent their feedback to the BID. This was passed directly to NCC officers.”
The businesses in attendance were:
- Brenan Bruder, Abbey Ross
- Duncan Wild, Berties
- Fin Kelly-Jeans, Finn & Co
- Rachel Roberts, MOOCH
- Katherine Ozalti, St Gyles Jewellers
- Stewart Wright, Nuovo
- Julie Teckman, Vintage Guru
Antony Ellis, an investor, who was also accompanied by his planning advisor at the meeting
Feedback provided to the BID by the following businesses was passed directly to NCC
officers:
- Abington FX
- All Saints Church
- Café Track
- Energie
- Richardson Events
