EXCLUSIVE: The owner of a shop in Newport says the cost of parking in the town is killing her business - and others.
Shops in the town have been badly hit during the coronavirus pandemic, with many shut for months.
But since the restrictions were lifted, many companies have been struggling with a lack of footfall.
Roadworks and diversions in the town have been putting many people off from coming into Newport. And, now, a business owner in the town has criticised the council for the price they are charging people to stay in council car parks.
Elvisa Ringer told Isle of Wight Radio that her shop in Scarrots Lane is suffering and that the parking charges are killing her business.
Elvisa, who runs Minifgure Montage, said:
"We have two car parks that back onto Central Market and they have always been known to be very good for footfall when people park there. But the parking charges are dramatically effecting the footfall that comes through the market. It's £5.40 to park for three hours!
"We are a small community of shops and are all small independent businesses who really need more support. The last year has been extremely hard for us all. I opened just before the first lockdown last year. It has been a huge struggle with everything that is going on."
Other businesses in Central Market include Minifigure Montage, Heroes, Wightvaping, Wight Opal, Central Collectables and Triple A Records.
Isle of Wight Council Parking Charges - Short Stay (including Chapel Street and New Street) via the app
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30 minutes - £1.40
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1 hour - £2
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2 hours - £3.70
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3 hours - £5.40
Elvisa is urging the council to do more to support the local businesses.
She added:
"We urgently need some help and support. We would love the council to look at the price of parking - but I'm fairly sure they won't. They could introduce some free parking. Even for one or two hours, perhaps - even one day a week.
"People are being put off. The summer is so important, we need people to know they can park up so they can come to support us. We really need the holidaymakers and locals.
"Even if people look through the window and browse, it's amazing to have people here, seeing what we do and what we sell.
"When the summer is over, we have our local residents who we rely on and we want to be here for when people visit the Island next year."
The Isle of Wight Council said in a statement:
"The new administration is sensitive to issues connected with car parking charges as our high streets seek to fully reopen and recover from the worst effects of the pandemic, and also the need to generate revenue to help pay for key services, such as children's and adult social care, again seriously affected by the pandemic.
"The council will prioritise work with local business organisations and town and parish councils to find innovative ways to address both of these pressures."
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