Despite the poor trading climate for many of the town's retailers, Bournemouth Council's latest dash for cash will see the next phase of parking meters spreading out from the town centre.

This policy may satisfy the Lib Dem Council, safely insulated from harsh commercial reality inside the Town Hall, but it will inflict further misery on the local economy as it struggles with a bleak outlook for retailers. It is hard to understand the logic of the Panel Chairman, Cllr Roger West, who maintains that 'the scheme will benefit the shops, shoppers and the town centre in the long run.' Perhaps he should heed his own words when stating that he 'anticipated some initial opposition from shopkeepers' who obviously will not share his rose-tinted view that 'this way is much better for everyone.'

In other words - the Council knows best, despite having no town centre retailing experience.

The Conservatives are asking Bournemouth's Lib Dem Council for an urgent rethink and some meaningful consultation with the entire business community before the scheme goes any further. Any other approach will give a clear signal to retailers throughout the town that their Council simply doesn't care about them, their businesses or the jobs which are being put in further jeopardy at this difficult time.

Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin, Leader of Bournemouth's Conservatives said, 'If this was a listening Council it would have woken up to the simple fact that retailing in the town is in trouble. Castlepoint with its free parking and state of the art stores is draining the town centre of shoppers and the Council seems to be doing its best to make matters worse.'

There is plenty that the Council could be doing to stimulate retailing in the town centre rather than giving concerned shopkeepers throughout Bournemouth more to worry about. It is not too late for the Council to swallow its pride and knock this scheme on the head. It would be a massive boost to confidence if they could also assure retailers that they have no plans to extend on-street charges to the town's other shopping areas.

The Conservatives will continue to press Bournemouth's Lib Dem administration to heed these important concerns for retail throughout the town and ask them to take a much more flexible approach that reflects the commercial reality of today's difficult retailing climate.

For further details please contact:-

Cllr John Beesley
Bournemouth Conservatives
on Bournemouth Council

Tel. 01202 762403
Mobile 07860 391219
email john.beesley@bournemouth.gov.uk