Cafe Owner Voices Concern Over Wolverhampton Parking Fee Hike

A cafe proprietor has voiced apprehension regarding her establishment’s future following the implementation of new parking tariffs in Wolverhampton, which will result in certain fees doubling. The City of Wolverhampton Council initiated an increase in charges effective 4 November, with daily rates at some sites rising from £4.50 to £9. The Labour-led authority stated its necessity to achieve savings of £32.6m within the forthcoming three-year period. Caitlin Stackhouse, proprietor of Tunwells English Kitchen in the city, characterized the decision as “absurd”. Ms Stackhouse established the family-operated enterprise in 2020 at the age of 18. She stated: “It will be detrimental to the customer flow in town.” “We haven’t recovered from the pedestrianisation on Victoria Street and this is just another deterrent.” “In the last couple of years around six businesses have gone and it’s wondering if you will be next. We are just trying to keep going and taking things day by day.” This development follows Dudley Council’s similar increase in its charges last month. Dan Kibble, a public health student enrolled at the University of Wolverhampton, frequently utilizes Broad Street car park, which now carries a daily charge of £9. He commented: “It’s already tough trying to get in and out of the city.” “I can understand charges going up, but doubling them is excessive. People are already struggling.” Steve Russell mentioned his weekly use of the car park for visits to the bank. He remarked: “People aren’t going to pay it. It’s ridiculous. I can’t see how it will save them money as people won’t park here.” Councillor Simon Bennett, who leads the Conservative group on the city council, alleged that the Labour-led authority was “targeting drivers”. He stated: “The high street is already struggling and the council has got to find ways of supporting people back into the city centre.” “This is an attack on businesses who are struggling at the moment.” A spokesperson for the City of Wolverhampton Council indicated that the revised charges would align the authority’s car parks with “the vast majority of privately owned car parks”. The spokesperson added: “The difficult decision has been taken to increase city centre car parking charges in Wolverhampton for the first time in more than five years following a review of prices.” The statement continued: “The prices have been zoned so they remain cheaper outside of the city centre and other incentives will be considered to encourage visitors in too.” It further explained: “Like other councils, we are facing significant financial challenges, needing to save £32.6m over the next three years.” These new charges, which are considered comparable to those of adjacent local authorities, are projected to yield an additional £1m annually to address budgetary difficulties. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.