Don't drive shoppers out of town centres (From Oxford Mail)

Don't drive shoppers out of town centres

10:00am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Letters

A visit to Bicester town centre on Tuesday revealed that those who pop in to make a quick purchase from one of the local shops have now lost the chance to park free in the on-street 30-minute zones in Market Square.

These have been converted into bus stops and loading bays.

There is, of course, the pay and display park still available, thereby adding the price of parking on to any purchases made.

I did refer to local traders but sadly I think Cherwell has driven them all out now; Cherry’s being the last bastion to fall to what are euphemistically called ‘high street brands’.

Soon Bicester will resemble any other town, with the same shops as everywhere else.

Still, I suppose there must be a saving on town planning costs. Just wheel out the same blueprint, wherever it is.

At short notice I summoned the Payne ‘Think Tank’ (Monday’s Oxford Mail ViewPoints), as they are all Bicester born and bred.

All agreed that local traders should be encouraged to stay but as to the current loss of free short-stay parking, suggested that perhaps consideration be given to making the area in the centre of Market Square free for a period of 30 minutes and perhaps even an hour. Also take the charges away from Victoria Road until the new car park in Manorsfield Road is built. Still enforce a limit of one hour.

The seven-year-old suggested that even a small charge of 20p for an hour’s parking would help but only if a one-hour limit was permitted.

I can’t remember taking any of them to Witney but it was pointed out that Witney seems to encourage its shoppers with free parking.

The emergency meeting closed after one pointed out that I was wrong in my mention of all local traders having gone. Nash’s tea rooms were still surviving and it was suggested that perhaps we could hold a meeting there over a sausage roll and a milkshake.

Cherwell and Bicester Town Council please take note and take action to keep our town centre a viable place to trade and try to retain our local traders, as well as welcoming the national brands. It’s not all about making extra money.

Bicester and indeed all other small market towns should retain their character, which is part of our heritage as a nation.

CHRIS PAYNE Turnpike Road