Removal of this meter has lost us trade

I have a business in Rowlands Road and am very concerned about this situation, as I am sure are my fellow traders.

It is going from bad to worse, with the ongoing increases, and it has now been made worse for us by the recent removal of a parking meter serving our section of Rowlands Road.

Our customers '“ well, those who are not aware of the situation; the rest have fled, never to be seen again '“ are pulling up, looking up and down the road to see the meter, asking where it now is (a good few minutes' walk to the Co-op), then either pulling away because it is too far, or they can't find it, or going to get a ticket, only to come back and have a parking ticket because they have been away from their car for too long.

They have just taken away the meter with no warning or sign to tell people which one now serves the area and dish out parking fines without a by- your-leave.

It is hard enough in today's economy to keep a business alive without this added frustration.

What is the council trying to do to us small businesses?

It is all well and good trying to get people into the car parks, but we rely on this out-of-town parking for passing trade.

Worthing is not just about Montague Street and the large stores. It is those small businesses that give a town the edge on other towns.

After all, if we want high street stores alone, we can all go into other nearby towns which have them where parking is easier and far cheaper.

Jodi Hayes

Paints and Posies

Rowlands Road

Worthing

NOTE: All letters must include a name and address which can be withheld by request.

Write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA, or email the Herald.

-------------------------------------

Click here for more readers' letters.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: [email protected]

Click here for the Herald staff directory.

Want to read this page in French, German, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Urdu or 48 other languages? click here for Google translate.