IN the first quarter of 2000 we wrote to the town and district councils forecasting that shops would close in Warminster due to the proposed parking charges being implanted on April 1 2002. An auspicious date?
Well, just over two years later there are approximately 18 empty shops in a once thriving town centre: coincidence? We think not. Have other towns in west Wiltshire suffered a similar fate?
One of the reasons given for the charges was to reduce the use of private cars. This aim whilst being admirable (if there is sufficient public transport) has obviously fallen well short of its intended target. Eg wishing to purchase some feather pillows we visited every likely shop in town, there were plenty of synthetic pillows. Now we must drive to Salisbury, Bath or Trowbridge to buy items that we could have bought by walking to Knees only 30 yards from our front door.
How much money is being lost in west Wiltshire due to empty premises not paying business rates and employing local people who are now, if they haven't found alternative jobs, claiming housing benefit and council tax rebates?
Without a thriving town there won't be any parking charges to collect, yet without parking charges there is hope of a thriving town.
M BRASSINGTON
J CAWSTON,
Jacqueline's Restaurant and Tea Room,
Warminster.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article