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Parking Law Slammed
Listed under: News
Published: Monday, August 03, 2009
A new scheme which could see independent retailers charged up to £350 for every parking space they provide for employees – netting local councils £11.3 million a year – has come under fire by business information specialist, the Forum of Private Business (FPB).
The Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) – which will come into effect in Nottingham in 2012 – could set a dangerous precedent for other local authorities, encouraging them to introduce similar taxes in their areas, the FPB has warned.
The inititative could also drive businesses away from the high street, exacerbate local congestion and cause conflicts between store owners and nearby residents.
Commenting on the scheme, the forum's chief executive, Phil Orford says, "While we try not to use such terms lightly, we believe that the introduction of the WPL scheme is scandalous and little more than a stealth tax. It's the business equivalent of introducing a driveway tax to charge people for parking outside their own homes. This announcement could not come at a worse time for smaller businesses, who are struggling with rising costs on almost every front and trying their best to make it through the recession."
He adds, "I would urge the Government, in the strongest possible terms, to shelve this scheme. If it wants to reduce congestion and pollution, it should concentrate on improving the quality and affordability of public transport, not penalising employers for taking cars off Britain's crowded streets."
Retailer Noel Wyatt of art and craft outlet Art Club in Edgware, London, agrees the scheme will be a nightmare for smaller businesses. “It will be disastrous for independent store owners, putting them under even greater pressure at a time when many are already struggling,” he says. “It's an absolutely ridiculous initiative and will not only harm the retailers themselves, but their staff as well – many of whom will have to foot the charges. I currently have about three or four employees working for me at any one time, and expecting me to pay £350 for each of their parking spaces is laughable. It's on a par with introducing another Stealth Tax and will be the final nail in the coffin for many local businesses.”
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The Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) – which will come into effect in Nottingham in 2012 – could set a dangerous precedent for other local authorities, encouraging them to introduce similar taxes in their areas, the FPB has warned.
The inititative could also drive businesses away from the high street, exacerbate local congestion and cause conflicts between store owners and nearby residents.
Commenting on the scheme, the forum's chief executive, Phil Orford says, "While we try not to use such terms lightly, we believe that the introduction of the WPL scheme is scandalous and little more than a stealth tax. It's the business equivalent of introducing a driveway tax to charge people for parking outside their own homes. This announcement could not come at a worse time for smaller businesses, who are struggling with rising costs on almost every front and trying their best to make it through the recession."
He adds, "I would urge the Government, in the strongest possible terms, to shelve this scheme. If it wants to reduce congestion and pollution, it should concentrate on improving the quality and affordability of public transport, not penalising employers for taking cars off Britain's crowded streets."
Retailer Noel Wyatt of art and craft outlet Art Club in Edgware, London, agrees the scheme will be a nightmare for smaller businesses. “It will be disastrous for independent store owners, putting them under even greater pressure at a time when many are already struggling,” he says. “It's an absolutely ridiculous initiative and will not only harm the retailers themselves, but their staff as well – many of whom will have to foot the charges. I currently have about three or four employees working for me at any one time, and expecting me to pay £350 for each of their parking spaces is laughable. It's on a par with introducing another Stealth Tax and will be the final nail in the coffin for many local businesses.”
What do you think about this issue? Email your thoughts to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
