Leeds businesses ‘overlooked and ignored’ amid new parking charges

Businesses in Leeds are concerned that newly introduced car parking fees could cost them money.

New pay machines have popped up in car parks in Wetherby, Rothwell, Horsforth, Garforth and Guiseley.

The plans had been opposed by a petition signed by 2,000 people.

“It’s going to feel like an extra tax for my staff,” said Mohammed Naseem, owner of a chemist in Rothwell.

Naseem said: “All of the businesses around this area are completely against this because it has the potential to affect trade. Usually the car park is full at this time of the day, but right now it’s pretty empty.

“My staff will have to find another place to park unless they want to pay the charge, which over a year is quite a lot.”

Source: Jack Houldsworth | All Rights Reserved

According to Leeds City Council, the new charges are to “fund improvements.”

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “Just as many local authorities across the country, we are facing unprecedented budget challenges impacting all our service areas.

“We have therefore taken the decision to introduce small charges at the six car parks in question, to be able to fund improvements and maintenance of the car parks. We are also hopeful that the charges will help combat the problem people have with being able to find a parking spot in busy areas.”

Rothwell’s Liberal Democrat Councillor Stewart Golton opposes the move. He said the council was being “really arrogant” over the dispute.

Golton said: “We know that the council sees motorists as sitting ducks. The employee and employer are already dealing with huge inflation on food and hospitality and the higher national insurance contributions. Now they face this extra unwelcome burden. The council have just overlooked and ignored their needs entirely.

“What was really arrogant was that they didn’t even reconsider it with any commitment, they basically brought it back and rubberstamped it, disrespecting the concerns raised.”

Source: Jack Houldsworth | All Rights Reserved

Wetherby is another district that has seen the introduction of charges at a free car park. Old Station car park just outside the town centre is one of limited options in the town for visitors.

Nicole Kaye owns a barbers on the high street. She said: “It will massively affect tourism. People could wander around the market and pop into the shops, but they won’t want to do that now if they are going to face charges.”

Kaye has seen the affects of parking on her business already. She continued: “Some of my customers come from all over the place and I sometimes catch them looking at their watch and even sometimes walking out before their appointment because I’ve overran and they’ve ran out of time with their parking.”

Councillor Golton hopes that changes to the fees could help reduce the impact on businesses. He said: “We have been in contact with our local MP for Rothwell and Wakefield in hopes of getting him to get Leeds to change their regime.

“Now that they have introduced these charges, we think at the very least, they can extend the free period to two hours to match Wakefield.”

The new parking charges were introduced on October 6, and charges will apply Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm.