'Parking increases have left us shopkeepers counting cost'

Independent traders on a shopping street where parking charges have more than trebled say they have seen a 20% drop in customers over the last year.

Members of Bishopthorpe Road Traders Association (BRTA) in York blame the increase in fees at the Bishopthorpe Road car park, which is maintained by City of York Council, and claimed the situation was like "death by a thousand cuts".

Prices for parking originally jumped by almost 500%, from 85p an hour to £4.85 in April 2025, but were then reduced to £3 an hour following a backlash.

In response, City of York council said it would publish an "Executive decision report on parking pricing later in the year".

"We're losing the people that would maybe drive out of necessity so maybe they've got low mobility or maybe they've got small children or maybe they're pregnant," explained Ruth Phillips co-owner of The Good Food Shop.

"Those customers we have completely lost over the last year."

In December, City of York council commissioned a review into the impact of parking charges on the public and local businesses which was subsequently extended until February this year.

"The number of transactions has dropped by about 20% and our income has dropped by a similar amount," outlined Joe Nasson, who runs the Bishy Weigh.

A number of customers who use the car park said they were now visiting less due to costs.

"I've spent about £35 and plus 10% on top of that is parking, it seems a bit mad," said David Andrews, who shops at the Bishy Weigh.

City of York Council said they had commissioned independent company Arup to consult with residents and businesses on the charges.

"Arup are scheduled to submit their independent report to the council in the near future.

"This report, along with the petition from the Bishy Road traders, will be carefully considered and will inform options for an Executive decision report on parking pricing later in the year," said Garry Taylor, who is in charge of city development for the local authority.

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