Navigation Point's owners have decided to introduce parking charges. Nothing wrong with that. It is their land and they can do whatever they want with it.
In the beginning (over 10 years ago) was a vacant Marina. Vacant flats. Vacant shops. Vacant berths.
Then came businesses (Krimo's was the first) on that side of the Marina. One at a time. Shyly. Hesitantly. A few struggled but over the last six years, the area began to blossom.
Many boat owners left faraway havens to come and berth their floating weekend retreats in our Marina. There were now waiting lists for the apartments.
The Marina became fashionable. It even acquired a new name. The Jewel in the Crown... Of Hartlepool and Tees Valley.
It began attracting visitors from far and wide. The Lords of the Land were happy. The businesses were cautiously pleased. The residents ecstatic with everything on their doorstep. It seemed like the centre of the Universe. Especially on a sunny day.
And then came the crunch.
The high rents began to bite.
Midweek, customers became a rare sight.
Paid parking plans finally came to light.
The Mayor promised that, not if, but when the Council adopted the Marina, no parking meters would go up. According to a leak, a thorny point sank the inflated adoption plans.
Back to square one.
The meters came on Monday, followed by their maids.
The meters came on Monday, followed by their maids.
Unfinished coffees.
Tables hurriedly vacated.
Scuffles over a few seconds past the first free half hour.
Worried workers. Worried employers.
Tables hurriedly vacated.
Scuffles over a few seconds past the first free half hour.
Worried workers. Worried employers.
A mile away, defeated Morrisons placed a hood on each parking meter as customers voted with their feet.
Down here we're left robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Down here we're left robbing Peter to pay Paul.
We need our customers. When are our landlords going to realise that they also need us?
(Photo courtesy of the Hartlepool Mail)
11 comments:
Up in arms! Would your MP be any help to talk sense to the council?
Bonjour Krimo,
Espérons que les intéressés reviendront à la raison. C'est dans l'intérêt de toute la ville.
Les consommateurs sont le moteur de l'économie.
Ce ne sont pas des vaches à traire.Il faut les respecter.
This happens all over - the credit crunch is probably partly to blame and the owners of the site are trying to scrape together every penny they can. A i euro coin is very much the same size and weight as a £1 coin and I understand that people are putting these into parking meters in some places. I realise that 1 euro has much the same value as £1 - but the inconvenience caused is worth it and of course the parking meter owners cannot change a 1 euro coin at the Bank.
Yet again pure greed is the driving force. The shop owners have every right to be nervous about custom as every one I have spoken to about the charges have said they will not be a regular visitor as parking charges are offputting. Dontnothing. rely on the mayor either as he seems to say rather a lot and do
I must clarify something. The land is privately owned and the council has nothing to do with the parking charges.
I'll have to rake my holiday purse to see I've got any euros...;o)
It's like killing the goose that's laid the golden egg...
Most landlords just take, take, take...
Zephyr, c'est la meme chose de par le monde... Les locateurs sont comme des sangsues...
Hi Krimo, we don't live in the area, but frequently come up to see our Daughter who lives on the Marina. I don't think residents get allocaed parking so how much will it cost us? We always have an evening meal at Krimo's when we come up too....it's a treat! We also spend time in the cafes, bars, shops and other restaurants, which usually have a lovely atmosphere. Livelihoods are going to be ruined by this silly decision.
Love the restaurants on the marina and have visted most on a fairly regular basis, but I have to addmitt the charges are very off putting and will make myself and wife spend far less time their. Sorry. Insidently the Council,nor the Mayor have any say on parking charges as the land is not owned by the Council.
Dear Krimo,
In my opinion, I think that it could and probably will play a part in most peoples decision to eat or drink on the Marina.
The Marina was built to entice people to spend their time and well earned money at the Marina and now they are charging the public for the privilege of eating out at Krimos and other dining places.
I will now be considering going out of town, rather that pay our council more parking fees.
Do they not realise that more people will be thinking in the same way as myself ?
I hope it does not affect your business too much.
Keith Chapman
With parking charges, I'll only visit when I really want to, and not when I want to browse around.
D.Hall
Dear Krimo
The absence of parking charges was one of the attractions regarding visiting the Marina.
Park the car, have a walk, have a drink, have a meal, take the air .... whatever
It will certainly make me think twice about coming.
Do councils realise (I assume it is the council) that the absence of parking charges is an incentive to visit the location thereby increasing the number of visitors....look at the Metro Centre, Teesside Park and other shopping centres.
J. Wood
This is just typical of the short sightedness of the owners,if they had built the place properly in the first place and put the car parking at the rear and kept the frontage as pedestrian only they might have been justified in taking a small charge for parking.
As it stands they will only drive custom away.
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