Independent retailers in Bewdley recently joined forces to launch a petition demanding that Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC) offer two hours free parking for everyone who visits the town.
The ‘Save Our Shops Bewdley’ initiative was launched at the beginning of December to tie-in with Small Business Saturday, with petitions available to sign in every shop displaying a poster plus, online via the Facebook page Shop, Eat, Sleep Bewdley.
“Many of the town’s street parking is only 30 minutes, just enough time to queue in the Post Office let alone have a coffee and a look around the town’s shops ” explained Jon May, co-founder of mooch gifts & home, which won The Greats* 2018 Independent Gift Retailer of the Year Midlands & Wales category.
“WFDC do not offer any support to local traders,” Jon continued. “Nationally, we see high streets dying and large chains closing stores, but on a local level, the same challenges exist for us all. We are just asking for two hours free parking for everyone who visits the town. It’s a small gesture but one that will keep Bewdley the beautiful town it is for the many thousands who visit. Nobody wants to see a street full of empty shops, but the grim reality is that that’s what will happen unless WDFC take action.”
Recent increases in parking charges and the actions of the local traffic wardens have seen trade plummet, with some stores reporting a 40% decrease in sales. Many local residents and visitors avoid the town altogether, says Jon, with most of these citing parking as the main factor.
* To celebrate The Greats Gift Retailer Awards 2019, a brand new website has been launched – www.thegreatsawards.co.uk – featuring details on how to enter this year’s competition, together with a downloadable entry form. Entries can also be emailed directly to suem@max-publishing.co.uk. The closing date for entries is January 31, 2019.
Above: Jon May, co-owner of mooch gifts & home in Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn, recently led a petition to increase parking time to two hours for visitors to the town of Bewdley.
