Development framework fails to tackle key problems with retail sector and parking

Development framework fails to tackle key problems with retail sector and parking

Cllr David Barton, a leading campaigner for the restoration and regeneration of Southport, said the new development framework failed to deal with key issues which were prevented the town from flourishing.

He said that these included providing a boost for the retail sector and addressing the problems over car parking charges.

He said: “Car parking should revert back to its former arrangement or a simpler base-line system such as £1 an hour and £6 for a whole day.

“This should be done across all car parks and incentivised by the Council and car park land owners.

“If basics such as car parking are not addressed, whole ventures requiring mass funding such as digital innovation proposals will prove fruitless.

“There is also too little focus on the retail sector, which has traditionally attracted many visitors from as far away as Scotland and London.

“Lord Street was the first shopping Boulevard in the entire world and businesses and visitors alike are disappointed that this isn’t seized upon.

“This status used to encourage people of all ages to tour the whole high street and if the issue of helping our retailers is not addressed it will drive away many visitors and potential customers who may well never return.

“Various proposals to segregate Lord Street itself into zones are ill thought out and potentially risks isolating businesses that appreciate being a part of the historic high street.

“Traffic flow must also be left alone. If road lanes are lost to more public footpaths along Lord Street this will have an adverse effect on businesses which depend on passing customers.

“The implications of proposals surrounding the Lord Street Verandahs should be carefully considered as many individual landlords and tenants have restored their Verandahs themselves, therefore a strict set of criteria must be applied when awarding funding to any remaining that may otherwise be unfair to those that already have restore their structures thoroughly and on a regular basis. Enforcement is not the route and may jeopardise future investment.”

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