Higher parking charges in Perth and Kinross will damage fragile businesses already suffering from the adverse economic conditions, it has been claimed.
The local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) hit out after the council last week approved a 10% increase in charges.
Chairwoman of the Perth and Kinross branch of the FSB Gillian MacEwan said: ”Every time a parking charge goes up in a town or city centre it makes it more difficult for independent local businesses to compete with out-of-town megastores.
”This is the sort of short-term thinking that stores up future problems for our town centres and local business communities.”
The increase will see basic one-hour parking in Perth increase from 80p to 90p and from 70p to 80p outwith Perth.
It is thought the rises which include increases in the cost of residents’ permits will raise an extra £250,000 a year for the council.
On Wednesday Councillor Alexander Stewart attempted to move a motion blocking the increase, but it was ruled that this was inappropriate as the measures were already part of the council’s approved budget.
”This Perth and Kinross-wide increase will have a detrimental impact on the business community across Perth and Kinross,” Mr Stewart said. ”Some compassion and understanding towards the constraints currently being faced by a struggling business community across Perth and Kinross would have gone some way to show support and goodwill in these difficult times.
”Yet another increase in costs for the motorist and those who require assistance to access city-centre shopping will once again encourage shoppers to go out of town, thereby affecting the heart of the community.
”Recent statistics and reports have shown that there has been a nosedive in retail sales and shoppers have stated that this is due to the cost and inconvenience of visiting city centres and we should be doing all we can within our power to support the retail sector at this time, rather than placing yet another burden upon them.”
Following the meeting, Councillor John Flynn said he also supported the move to block the parking charge increases. Mr Flynn said the cost of running a car had soared, there was the prospect of further tax rises on fuel and if the council wanted to raise further revenue it should target indiscriminate parking outwith the centre of Perth.
”The motorist is hard pressed as it is,” he said. ”We have also got to support the shops in the High Street.”