Independent shops in Helston are calling for “dramatic” changes as paid parking is being blamed for decreasing footfall.
Retailers – already feeling the squeeze of rising rent and competition from supermarkets and online stores – are facing a drop in customer numbers which many owners chalk up to expensive town-centre parking.
Garen Sharland runs Don’t Forget the Hamper, a shop selling gift hampers of local products, and said he has noticed a 50% drop in customers in the town centre.
He claims the parking charges are putting shoppers off coming into town, and that high street businesses are struggling with this shortage.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of businesses and they’re all saying the exact same thing.”
Announcing last week that Don’t Forget the Hamper will close its doors in January, he said: “We feel incredibly let down by both the town and Cornwall councils in what we believe has been an absolutely disgraceful lack of effective support for our High Street and the independent businesses trying to keep it alive.
“This town needs something dramatic done to keep it alive.”
Mr Sharland was disappointed that councillors had not visited his shop, saying this would “let them see how bad the high street really is”.
His shop is set to relaunch as Loaded Scone Co, a franchise of the Falmouth shop, in March.
Mr Sharland added: “I’ve got a plan, but unfortunately a lot of businesses don’t – their only plan is to close.”
Helston has so much potential, it just needs some help.
Ann Pascoe has run Manor Fashions wedding clothes shop for more than 16 years, and said the reduced footfall has contributed to her decision to close her shop and retire in October.
Mrs Pascoe has raised concerns to Helston Town Council and called for a “free two-hours” of parking to spur on foot traffic in the town centre.
She says that paid parking can discourage “spontaneous trips” into shops and restrict time spent trying on clothes.
“They say that it won’t make a difference, but it certainly made a difference to me.”
“It’s not necessarily whether people can afford to park or not, it’s about the principle – they don’t want to go to a car park and pay for several hours.”
Mrs Pascoe revealed that she had been forced to not pay her own wages in order to keep the shop afloat.
“It’s just a sign of the times really – I try but nobody is doing anything about it.
“I just want to thank the few faithful customers,” Ann added.
Staff at Lillies Boutique, another Helston clothing shop, have noticed a decline in footfall as the town centre feels emptier.
Owner Trish Young said: “There aren’t enough businesses in town for people to have a walk and look around.
“When I was a little girl in Helston, there were so many shops – now you can’t buy shoes or even a loaf of bread here.”
She said small retailers in town can tackle loneliness, and she enjoys seeing regular customers stop for a chat and cup of tea in Lillies.
Shopkeepers agree that welcoming customers and treating shops as community spaces is important to help them stay in business.
Garen Sharland added: “If you don’t want the town to completely die, go in and spend a couple of quid.
“A fiver spent on car parking could have gone to a coffee shop – and every purchase makes a big difference to a local business.
“Helston has so much potential, it just needs some help.”
A spokesperson for Helston Town Council said they are disappointed by feedback from businesses about the effects of paid parking: “The council is very aware of the challenges facing independent retailers on the high street.
“Parking charges in Helston, including those in town centre car parks, are set and administered by Cornwall Council or private owners, not by Helston Town Council.
“This means decisions on pricing, free periods, and enforcement sit outside our direct control, but we have not been silent on this issue.
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“We strongly objected to proposed parking charge changes at Fairground Car Park, including leafleting cars to make sure everyone had a chance to respond to Cornwall Council proposals in the car park, promoting the public consultation on social media and meeting with the Portfolio Holder for transport and partner organisations twice.
“We fought the changes as much as we could and are continuing to investigate different paths forward with partner organisations in line with our stance that these changes will have a detrimental impact on the town.
“We will continue to raise concerns with Cornwall Council on behalf of Helston residents.
The town council welcomed residents to speak to their local councillors at surgeries or public forums, or to contact their Cornwall Councillor or Helston Town Councillor directly.
A spokesperson from Cornwall Council said: "We understand the concerns some businesses have raised about parking charges and their impact on town centres.
"However, research consistently shows that the health of high streets is influenced by a range of factors, including changes in shopping habits, online retail and the mix of businesses available.
"Parking is one element of that wider picture.
"Earlier this year we converted Trengrouse Way car park to long stay, which means it is now included in the car parks offering discounted parking through the JustPark wallet and Resident Season Ticket.
"With the JustPark Wallet, drivers pay less than £2.50 to park all day in four of Helston’s car parks – Castle Green, Fairground, Trengrouse Way and Tyacke Road.
"Regular users of these car parks also have the option to buy a Resident Season Ticket.
"Income from car park charges supports the council’s wider transport service, including maintaining Cornwall’s 4,500mile road network and car parks."
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