Cinema manager fears new parking charges will 'accelerate the death' of Macclesfield
New parking charges will accelerate the death of the high street.
That is the view of Jordan Wilson, manager at Macclesfield's independent cinema, Cinemac.
It follows the announcement from Cheshire East Council that parking fees will be increased, with charges extended until 10pm and introduced on Sundays.
Jordan said: "The death of Macc is slowly happening and I think the council are accelerating it at a massive rate.
"Any incentive to come into town has been taken away by the council, it's absolutely crazy.
"I just think it's a massive kick in the teeth to all the local, independent business that are trying to keep the town going.
"Everyone knows the high street is struggling, that's no secret at all.
"Macclesfield Town Council have been quite supportive but the support for local businesses from Cheshire East is pretty much non-existent.
"I don't see what the benefit is for them."
READ MORE: Cheshire East confirm introduction of Sunday parking charges along with increased fees
The changes announced on Thursday (March 27) will come into effect in May, although an exact date has yet to be confirmed.
It follows a public consultation last year, the results of which Jordan feels were ignored.
"It's completely baffling," he said.
"A lot of people spent a lot of time giving feedback, I must've spent two hours writing down my thoughts on the proposals.
"I was lost for words when I saw the announcement yesterday.
"Cheshire East turned off the comments on their Facebook post. They know what they are doing is unpopular."
Jordan has raised concerns about the impact this decision may have on local residents, who may see more people parking on their roads to avoid paying.
Furthermore, he feels the older generations have been 'alienated' by the move to cashless car parks.
On how it will impact Cinemac specifically, Jordan said: "It's going to affect our attendances, especially in the evenings and on Sundays.
"Sunday is one of our busiest days because car parking is free and they are deterring people from coming here.
"People will go to Cineworld Didsbury or the Light in Stockport instead, where parking is free."
He added: "It's a very tough climate to run a business in at the moment.
"Especially for a business like ours, we can't just up sticks and move somewhere else.
"All you see is costs rising everywhere and just when you think there could be nothing else, all of a sudden they've now thrown this at us.
"It's draining, just wondering what is going to happen next."
Jordan feels there needs to be a 'more open conversation' between Cheshire East Council and independent business.
"They're probably scared of having an angry mob but that's what they're going to get because people are getting sick of it," he said.
Explaining the decision, councillor Mark Goldsmith, chair of the highways and transport committee, said Cheshire East's charges are 'signicantly lower' than neighbouring councils.
They also do not reflect inflation, with this being only the second time fees have increased since Cheshire East was formed in 2009.
Councillor Goldsmith said: "Coupled with the council's financial challenges, we have little option but to look at how we maximise our income and ensure that the charges we collect are sufficient to help cover the rising costs of maintaining, managing, and enforcing our car parks.
"Any surplus from parking charges is money that can be used to support other services that fall under the highways and transport committee, for example roads maintenance or Sunday and evening bus services."
The council's 'free after 3pm' initiative will remain in operation at one car park in each town and village.
Short stay on-street parking bays will also remain free.
Meanwhile, additional Sunday and evening buses are being introduced from Monday, March 31.
Share:
