Parking is such street sorrow

[dropcap type=”circle”]R[/dropcap]ecently the Policy and Performance, Regeneration and Environment Committee of Wirral Borough Council reported that a Parking Cashback Scheme had been implemented in Heswall in September last year.

“Heswall,” states the minutes, “has been used as a pilot area as their business association has been very proactive at looking at ways to promote business in the Heswall area. Similar schemes could be rolled out to other areas such as Birkenhead, Liscard and West Kirby if found to be successful.”

The concept is presumably similar to those used at some retail centres. At the Lowry Outlet Mall in Salford, for example, parking is free if you spend £5 or more.

While there’s nothing unusual about such incentives the Heswall scheme was much more mysterious. I had never heard of it.

An email to the new Chair of the HDBA, Justine Mclaughlin, received an almost instant reply. “Although this parking scheme has been put in place,” she wrote, “it has lacked the marketing drive it needs to share the message.”

That was the bad news. The good news is that Justine is a marketeer and determined to raise the concept’s profile. “I own a marketing business myself so I aim to showcase this a lot more than it is currently. I am trying to get more businesses on board with the scheme so when advertising it, it will be more appealing to all.”

If you run a local business and believe a cashback scheme would work for you then please contact Justine. http://www.hdba.uk/

In the grand scheme of things the issue of parking is not up there with the refugee crisis, Brexit or international terrorism. It is, however, something that needs to be addressed in order to make life easier for both local consumers and businesses. 

In recent weeks I have returned to my car to find it decorated with a bright yellow ticket of shame, lost my money in one of the ancient machines that serve the car park next to the Puddydale, and circled round ad nauseam before parking up outside Tesco where I bought a Lucky Dip Lotto entry to ease my conscience before going somewhere completely different.

There have been some improvements. At least the lunatic sum once demanded by the Puddydale machines has been revised. Not so long ago it was necessary to find £1.05p to feed a machine that can’t give change. Now it is a more sensible 70p for an hour, though doubtless local shop owners would like to see that figure reduced further.

If you live or have a business in Heswall, Neston and surrounding areas and have something to say about parking then please let us know on the Heswall Today Facebook page.