Parking problems and high rents are contributing to the demise of businesses in one of Dundee’s biggest shopping streets, it has been claimed.
Traders on Perth Road said the lack of parking spaces is putting customers off visiting the area, with the problem getting “steadily worse” over the years.
Gordon Philip, owner of Utopia Costumes, is shutting up shop on Saturday after 18 years of trading on the West End’s thoroughfare.
He said: “When we first opened, Perth Road was the place to be.
“It was difficult to get a space here, whereas now there are half a dozen empty units.
“Things have got steadily worse – the main thing is the parking and it’s something all the businesses are in agreement on.
“It can sometimes take up to 25 minutes to find somewhere to park, and customers aren’t going to bother, they will just go somewhere else or shop online.
“If they park in front of the shop, they get a ticket.
“Even I’ve had a ticket when I’ve been unloading heavy things from the van, which I can’t carry up the road.
“Another thing is the rent and rates, they are horrendous.
“With the decrease in footfall, we just can’t afford to stay here – it will be a sad day on Saturday when we close the shop for the final time.”
West End Community Council has tried to solve the problem by coming up with a proposal to make use of under-occupied spaces elsewhere, in an attempt to free up parking spaces in the West End.
Chairman Peter Menzies has suggested that Dundee City Council could implement a scheme to offer under occupied spaces on the upper floors of multi-storey car parks for £1 a day.
He said: “This proposal would generate half a million pounds of additional revenue for the council, if adopted.
“We’ve been trying to arrange a meeting with Mike Galloway but haven’t had any success.
“People are fed up with the parking issue in the West End and we’re trying to find a positive solution.”
A spokesman from Dundee City Council said that the proposals have already been discussed with Mr Menzies.
The spokesman added: “For some time we have had in place a long term strategy to encourage visitors and people working in the city centre to our multi-storey car parks.
“That is working and we believe that car parking in Dundee city centre offers good value for money.”
