Montgomeryshire MS calls on the Welsh Government to ensure Powys County Council takes responsibility for town-centre regeneration.
Following the recent announcement that WHSmith in Newtown is set to close in the New Year, after being a long-standing part of Newtown town centre, has been raised in the Senedd this week.
Senedd Member Russell George questioned a Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary on how local councils are addressing their responsibilities for town-centre regeneration. Mr George highlighted that excessive car parking charges in Powys County Council-operated car parks are deterring people from shopping in small businesses on local high streets.
Speaking in the Senedd, Mr George said:
“Powys County Council is charging £2.50 for up to two hours and has scrapped the one-hour rate. If people just want to pop into a shop for 10 minutes, they’re not going to pay £2.50. I think the real issue here is ensuring councils don’t just see car parks as revenue-generating arrangements to fund spending in other areas.”
Mr George, who is also Shadow Minister for Mid Wales, went on to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jane Bryant MS, what the Welsh Government can do to ensure councils take responsibility for their role in town-centre regeneration, rather than viewing car parking as a cash cow.
Commenting further after his questions in the Senedd, Mr George said:
“Town centres are changing because people’s shopping habits are changing, but we need to do everything we can to support existing shops. The recent news about WHSmith in Newtown is disappointing, and the Welsh Government must ensure councils are taking town regeneration seriously.
‘’I firmly believe there are ways in which the Welsh Government and Powys County Council can encourage more shoppers to visit our high streets, which will, in turn, bring more revenue to local businesses. I am currently gathering views about the current charges in Powys County Council-run car parks.
‘’Charging people £2.50 for what is sometimes just a 20-minute visit to a town centre is not helping. I encourage everyone to fill in my survey and share their views.”
Montgomeryshire MS, Russell George is asking people for their views on Powys County Council’s current car charges. To complete Mr George’s survey, visit https://www.russellgeorge.com/car-parking-charges-survey
