We totally oppose the decision made by the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways & Road Safety, to implement paid parking bays on Main Road Biggin Hill. To implement would be the death of a very tangible, but struggling “High Street” following Covid, the rise in rent and cost of living. It would result in further retail space being converted into residential dwellings, forcing local residents to travel to shop!
The Main Road of Biggin Hill is populated by businesses to the West side and residential properties to the East.
The free on street waiting bays are located mainly to the shop side of the Main Road with half a dozen being to the residential side.
Most businesses (83%) are independent traders which include barbers, beauty & hair salons, florists, card & stationery outlet, post office, convenience stores, food & alcohol retailers, opticians, printing & art design, gift & homewares, butchers, and dry cleaners. None of these have off street free parking and rely on the parking waiting bays for passing trade which they rely on to stop and visit their shops.
We have not received any complaints from any shop owners that the waiting bays are abused and any vehicles outstaying their time. They comment on how it increases the footfall and is vital to the ongoing success of their businesses.
The remaining retail offer is made up of major supermarket retailers, homeware, and food outlets, all with behind store off-street free parking facilities.
There is always ample parking within these car parks. The danger of making the on-street free waiting bays into paid bays is that shoppers will park to the rear of the major chains and then fail to exit onto the Main Road and shop at the independent retailers.
In the last 18 months, two retail spaces have been converted into residential flats; this is due to Covid, high rents and thus, a lack of desire from retailers to take the space.
There is more retail space, which at the present time is still within the planning system, which we envisage, will be converted into residential flats if again this space cannot be let.
If fee-paid parking is introduced into the Main Road of Biggin Hill, we foresee a downturn in passing trade for the small independent shopkeepers resulting in closure, properties turned into residential flats, leaving only the major chain stores who will not be affected as they have their own free parking facilities for their customers.
A change from commercial to domestic usage would also result in the London Borough of Bromley’s income being affected due to the marked difference between business and domestic rates. This would probably offset any pecuniary advantage.
We believe that residents should have the choice to use independent retailers and have the choice to put food on another family’s table, pay for a child’s swimming lessons, each supporting each other so that our residents are able to lead independent lives, alongside bustling retail giants.
Head Petitioners: Cllr Melanie Stevens & Cllr Sophie Dunbar
c/o, Members Room, Civic Centre, Bromley, London, BR3 3UH
On reaching 2000 signatures The Head Petitioner may address the Committee for up to 5 minutes
This ePetition ran from 24/04/2023 to 17/07/2023 and has now finished.
1871 people signed this ePetition.