North Berwick: Businesses left 'devastated' by parking charge decision

The proposal – the biggest shake-up in town centre parking for decades – was given the green light at East Lothian Council's meeting.

On-street parking charges – varying from 50p to £1 per 30-minute period – from 8.30am to 6pm, seven days a week, all-year-round will be introduced at Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) throughout the town.

The scheme is predicted to generate annual income of almost £1.2m for cash-strapped East Lothian Council – but cost £105,000 a year to run and have capital costs of £450,000, including the installation of ticket machines, new signing and lining, IT systems, offices, and the hiring of two parking attendants.

READ MORE: North Berwick: Green light for town centre parking charges

Some changes were made to the proposals to “mitigate concerns” following the consultation.

These include extending the planned initial free parking period on High Street from 30 minutes to 45 minutes and the removal of designated residents’ parking zones by integrating them with charged zones – thereby increasing the number of spaces for residents from 546 to 923. But residents in designated streets would still be charged £40 for annual parking permits. 

Also approved were changes to the east end of the High Street. This artist's impression shows how it may look

The approval of the plans were met by strong opposition by the council's Conservative Group along with local businesses and the community council.

Susan Oliver, co-chair of North Berwick Business Association (NBBA), said that businesses were left "shocked" by the decision.

She said: "The retail businesses on North Berwick High Street are shocked and devastated by East Lothian Council's decision to pass the introduction of parking fees and the removal of all parking to the east end of the High Street.

"NBBA have had consultations and discussions with East Lothian Council over many months and it has totally ignored all evidence of the detrimental effect this will have on the High Street.

"Who in 45 minutes has enough time to queue at the Post Office, chemist and butcher let alone get a hair cut, a coffee or buy a birthday present?

"Retailers will not be able to continue to provide a service to the community. Up and down the country, where parking charges have been introduced in small towns, businesses in the town centre have failed, leading to empty shops, unemployment and social problems.

"Many retailers are still recovering from the Covid pandemic and indeed paying off debt as a result. The rates fiasco, increased wages, unstable energy costs and cost of living impact creates a perfect storm for business closures. The viability of closure of retail businesses in North Berwick is a serious issue.

"North Berwick Business Association will fight East Lothian Council through all available channels."

North Berwick Community Council held an emergency meeting on Monday where the majority of members, plus attending members of the public and High street retailers, shared their opposition to the proposals.

In the wake of the proposal's approval, community council chair Kenny Miller claimed that the council were "gambling" with the future of North Berwick and that the group will "consider further action".

He said: "We are extremely disappointed that the scheme was approved by East Lothian Council.

"It is clear that this had little to do with parking, and a lot to do with money. The council are gambling with the livelihood of the High Street traders, and the wellbeing of our community.

"The community council will consider further action when we meet on Tuesday, May 2, but would urge residents to respond to the next consultation which will begin shortly.

Councillor Jeremy Findlay, a ward councillor for North Berwick Coastal, had called for the decision to be delayed, but this was rejected by Labour, SNP and Green councillors who backed the plan.

Mr Findlay said: "I am obviously very disappointed with the result of the vote of North Berwick car parking changes which was passed despite so much opposition from local businesses and local residents.

"It would seem the Labour and SNP councillors regarded the almost negligible impact on East Lothian Council’s overall budget to be more important than the negative impact that this is going to have on North Berwick’s High Street.

"However, I will continue to fight for my local community and push for further changes to the proposals as the council plans the legal aspects of the TTRO’s over the coming months.

"I urge local residents to continue to send their views into the council.”

During the meeting, Mr Findlay had highlighted Berwick-Upon-Tweed where similar parking charges had been introduced that had, in his view, "decimated" the town centre.

He added: “These proposals are all about raising money for the council and nothing to do with benefits for North Berwick.”

Craig Hoy, South Scotland MSP, claimed the changes did not address the town's parking issues and threatened to drive customers away from High Street shops.

He said: “Labour, the SNP and the Greens’ decision to introduce town centre parking charges within North Berwick is wrong and does not address seasonal parking issues within the town.

"It also threatens to take customers away from family-run High Street businesses, where footfall is already down, and move customers towards out-of-town alternatives where parking is free.

"I am deeply disappointed by the council’s decision not to address the clear concerns of a large number of residents and businesses within the town.

"This clearly demonstrates that only the East Lothian Conservative group will stand up for local High Street businesses and respond to the concerns of local residents.”

The Greens, however, had a more positive response to the proposed changes, claiming that there was evidence that the changes would strengthen the local economy.

Councillor Shona McIntosh said: “I understand businesses have had a hard time since Covid and are worried about changes but there is no evidence that parking charges negatively affect the local economy, and plenty of evidence to the contrary.

"This is the right thing to do for our amenity, environment and economy in the towns and villages across East Lothian.”

This positivity was also matched councillors from the SNP and Labour representing other parts of the county.

Councillors Lee-Ann Menzies (SNP) and Colin McGinn (Lab), whose wards include Tranent, both said they looked forward to similar parking management schemes being introduced in their local communities.

Ms Menzies said: “I can’t wait for this to come to Tranent.”

And Mr McGinn added: “It is not about money, it is about making sure our High Streets are safe.”