Parking issue is '˜getting worse' in Battle

Parking in Battle High Street. Some of the local business owners are pictured in the High Street. SUS-170314-115642001

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A lack of parking enforcement and high parking charges are keeping customers away and driving businesses out of Battle, a trader has claimed.

Paula Williams, owner of BRITSH design BRITISH made in the High Street, says vehicles parked illegally in the High Street for long periods are putting off local shoppers unwilling to pay to park in the increasingly more expensive Rother District Council-owned car parks when they just need 20 minutes in town.

She said: “It’s ruining the flow of shoppers to the town. Footfall has diminished considerably since I opened in 2012.

“There are times in the week, particularly in the winter months, when you look out onto the street, it’s like a ghost town.

“Many people have complained about the parking here. They say it’s too expensive and so many of those who used to complain simply haven’t come back.”

Louise Killick owner of Barberlou’s says her clients are always complaining about parking, adding: “It’s a repeated topic of conversation.”

High Street traders have called for RDC to take an ‘holistic approach’ when looking at Battle’s parking issues.

Paula said: “The town needs a proper parking review because the main car park charges are deterring locals from coming here.

“Heathfield is thriving because their car parks are free.

“A longstanding family business, Farrago, closed their Battle shop in January to concentrate on their Heathfield outlet as footfall is so much higher there.

“There are other similar sized towns nearby like Cranbrook where parking is free.’

Paula went on to mention The Portas Review which states: “It is clear to me (Mary Portas) that local councils will have a firm eye on the things that drive revenue, parking clearly being one of them.

“Yet I fundamentally believe that to increase the cost of parking in a locality (when there are alternatives offering free parking elsewhere) is to curtail the appeal of that location to the shopping consumer and therefore the longer term economic viability and wellbeing of the area.”