Colwyn Bay traders welcome parking times extension

Mar 4 2010 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

SHOPKEEPERS in Colwyn Bay hope longer parking times in the heart of the town will help boost trade.

Shoppers parking on Penrhyn Road can now leave their vehicles for up to 90 minutes, as opposed to one hour.

The parking review by Conwy County Council follows pleas from the town’s businesses to relax parking regulations to improve footfall at the array of small independent businesses.

By upping the time limit from one hour to 90 minutes it’s hoped the extra half an hour will be enough to give people time to look around without clogging up car parking spaces for much of the day.

Derek Kershaw, who runs Music Makers with his wife, Christine, on Penrhyn Road, hopes the new time limit will be a boost to business.

“It should be a help as it means people can wander around Colwyn Bay more,” he said.

“In some towns you have parking restrictions of 20 minutes and you can’t go anywhere.”

Christine added: “It is a good idea and much as you hate traffic wardens, since they’ve been around you can park more as they move people on.”

Gavin Davies, who runs Printing.com, also on Penrhyn Road agreed. “It could help as obviously people have got an extra half an hour,” he said.

“The 90 minutes should help as long as it is policed properly.

“If the council could sort out parking for the traders that would help, at the moment I’m having to park near Rydal school.”

Holly Kift, the manager of Speakers Corner, on the corner of Conway Road and Penrhyn Road, was pleased about the new parking times.

“With us being a cafe it gives people time to go to the shops and go and get something to eat and have a coffee,” she said.

“It will encourage people to come to Colwyn Bay. My parents always say there is nowhere to park, so it should help.”

Town centre manager Ingrid Lewis added: “The traders have been wanting extension of car parking for some time which will enable shoppers to browse in the shops and cafes. It's a good move for the town.”

richard.evans