Festive decorations are up and tills are ringing on Clevedon's picturesque Hill Road, but a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the independent traders as they face a new year threat: the potential introduction of on-street parking charges.
Fears for the future of a destination high street
North Somerset Council has proposed implementing fees for parking on Hill Road and surrounding streets, a move local shop owners believe could hasten the decline of their unique retail hub. The street, famed for its colourful independent shops and its role as a filming location for ITV's Broadchurch, currently offers two hours of free parking.
The council's plan would reduce the free period to just 30 minutes, followed by charges of £1.50 for one hour, £2.50 for two hours, and £3 for the maximum three-hour stay. These would operate from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
Sandy Prater, owner of the Fizz art gallery which recently celebrated 20 years on the street, is deeply concerned. She points to the council's introduction of charges in neighbouring Nailsea this summer as a worrying precedent. "We've seen it decimate towns and small areas of independents up and down the country," Prater states, surrounded by paintings in her gallery.
A national trend hitting local pockets
This is not an isolated issue. North Somerset is one of many cash-strapped local authorities across Britain looking to parking charges as a source of income, a trend causing dismay from St Albans to Surrey. For Clevedon's traders, operating against a backdrop of rising costs and cautious consumer spending, it feels like a potential final straw.
They argue that even nominal fees will deter the casual visits that are the lifeblood of local commerce. "Those popping in... to grab a pint of milk or a birthday card... are not going to add parking charges," explains Prater, noting how small purchases often lead to significant sales.
The traders recently handed in a petition against the proposals signed by more than 3,300 people. They fear customers will simply drive to the large Cribbs Causeway out-of-town shopping centre 15 miles away, where parking is free, or turn to online shopping instead.
Specific challenges on Hill Road
The geography of the area itself presents a unique challenge. The sloping terrain of Hill Road means there is no space for a dedicated car park, forcing all visitors to use on-street spaces. On a typical day, these spaces are almost all full, a fact traders cite as proof of the street's popularity.
The current two-hour free window is particularly crucial for businesses like Devvon Wilsher-Day's bridal shop, So Gorgeous Bridal. "Customers come for two-hour appointments, so it works fantastically for us at the moment," she says. Wilsher-Day, who relocated her business from Weston-super-Mare 18 months ago, believes parking charges contributed to the decline of her previous high street location.
David Sims, owner of Books on the Hill, is sceptical of council studies suggesting parking fees don't harm footfall. "If you look at the places where they've done those studies, they're not here. They haven't got characteristics like this," he argues.
Political opposition and council response
The council, run by a coalition of Liberal Democrats and independents, has not yet approved the plans. It may even face a legal challenge from within its own area. Chris Blades, a Conservative councillor on North Somerset Council who also chairs Clevedon Town Council, revealed, "Along with the business improvement district we have got solicitors involved. The town council is vehemently opposed."
Some locals reference the council's controversial past spending, including approximately £1.5 million on installing and then removing unusual 'wiggly' road markings in the town.
However, not all residents oppose the scheme. One, Paul Hitchcock, commented, "As long as it's brought in carefully, I think it's inevitable. Part of me thinks it would stop the parking spaces from being blocked all day."
A spokesperson for North Somerset Council defended the proposals, stating they followed "extensive engagement with the public" and that a lower tariff was proposed for Hill Road than elsewhere as a result. They pointed to data from Nailsea, where charges were introduced, showing over 36,000 tickets sold and a month-on-month increase in car park use.
As the new year approaches, the independent spirit of Hill Road is now matched by a determined campaign to preserve the free parking they believe is essential to their survival.
