By Councillor Geoff Brodie
Council are increasingly concerned at the continuing demise of the retail offer of our County town’s centre, particularly resulting from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic over the last eight months. 40 plus empty shops were recently identified by a former independent shop owner.
Council notes that Newport is the only town centre on the Island that has no offer of a least 30 minutes free car parking in its main streets, apart from the popular Upper St James St (Node Hill). This is reflected for example in the relative, retail vibrancy of Union Street Ryde, within its closest comparator town, which has one hour’s free parking.
Council, therefore, call on the Isle of Wight Council cabinet to introduce at least 30 minutes free parking in all Newport town centre streets currently charged for – High St, Holyrood St, Lugley St, New St, Pyle St, Orchard St and Quay St – and Newport’s short term car parks as part of its 2021/22 budget.
Minutes:
Councillor Brodie advised that he had received and accepted an amendment to the original motion prior to the start of the meeting and moved the following which was duly seconded:
Council are increasingly concerned at the continuing demise of the retail offer of our County town's centre, particularly resulting from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic over the last 8 months. 40 plus empty shops were recently identified by a former independent shop owner.
Council notes that Newport is the only town centre in the Island that has no offer of at least 30 minutes free car parking in its main streets, apart from the popular Upper St James St (Node Hill). This is reflected for example in the relative, retail vibrancy of Union Street, Ryde, within its closest comparator town, which has one hour's free parking.
Council, therefore, calls on the Isle of Wight Council Cabinet to consider introducing at least 30 minutes free parking in all the Newport town centre streets currently charged for - High St, Holyrood St, Lugley St, New St, Pyle St, Orchard St and Quay St - and Newport's short term car parks as part of its 2021/22 Budget.
A vote was taken and the results were as follows:
RESOLVED:
THAT Council, therefore, call on the Isle of Wight Council Cabinet to consider introducing at least 30 minutes free parking in all the Newport town centre streets currently charged for - High St, Holyrood St, Lugley St, New St, Pyle St, Orchard St and Quay St - and Newport's short term car parks as part of its 2021/22 Budget.