BUSINESSES in Grimsby have called for a pay and display car park to be made free for shoppers to use.
Some shop owners on Cleethorpe Road say more should be done to improve nearby parking facilities and have suggested converting the pay and display car park on Orwell Street to a free site.
Mal Bratton, manager of trophies and medal store Mal Mark, said the Orwell Street car park is often empty and would benefit the local economy if it was free to use.
He said: "There is no reason why the car park can't be made free.
"At the moment, most customers park along the road and many get fined.
"I've seen traffic wardens sit in their cars and wait until drivers go over the time limit – the wardens just appear and pounce.
"The council has to stop just focusing on the Top Town part of Grimsby.
He added: "They are unsympathetic to secondary businesses like us.
"My argument is that they are not making any money with Orwell Street being empty most of the time so, by allowing customers to park there for free, it will benefit local businesses and the local economy."
Currently, motorists are only able to park on Cleethorpe Road for one hour between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
Meanwhile, the pay and display car park on Orwell Street charges between Monday and Sunday, from 8am and 6pm. Motorists can park their vehicles for one to four hours, with prices varying from £1 to £3.
Kerry Meanwell, manageress of Waltham Kitchen Delicatessen on Cleethorpe Road, said: "I think it is a shame because we are on a main road out of Grimsby and some who are driving through may want to stop but there is nowhere for them to go. They end up parking on the streets which makes them look untidy."
Dianne Hargrave, manageress at Elegant Lighting said: "We get customers who find that they have received parking tickets when they're finished in our store.
"Some want to spend one or two hours looking at our products."
David Stafford, manager of Stevensons Furniture Centre, also based on Cleethorpe Road, said: "Every time I walk past the Orwell Street car park it is always empty. Free parking facilities would benefit business in the local area and may encourage new businesses to start up."
Councillor David Watson, portfolio holder for environment and housing at North East Lincolnshire council, said: "I'm chairing a cabinet working group that was set up last month to carry out a detailed review of on and off-street parking in the borough.
"Our findings will be presented to cabinet later this year."
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