Dudley Council has announced a significant policy reversal, pledging to scrap parking charges for the first two hours in council-owned car parks as part of its 2026/27 budget. The decision aims to revitalise town centre shopping by removing what many traders have described as a major barrier to customer visits.
Mixed Reception from Local Traders
While the move has been broadly welcomed by some business owners, others argue it represents too little too late after years of declining footfall. The controversy comes amid ongoing challenges including delays to the Metro tram line opening and disruption from construction of a new bus interchange, both cited as contributing factors to reduced trade.
Market Trader's Bleak Assessment
Dave Flavell, who has operated a fruit and vegetable stall on Dudley market for 25 years, expressed deep scepticism about the council's timing. "It's too late, they can do as much free parking as they like but you can see, there is nobody about to serve," he stated bluntly.
Flavell estimates that the introduction of parking charges cost him approximately 40 percent of his trade, with loyal customers of three decades now shopping elsewhere. "Once people have gone to a new place to shop they will carry on going there. We've had customers who have been coming here for 30 years say they are going to Bilston," he explained, highlighting the difficulty of winning back lost business.
Arcade Business Welcomes Relief
In Fountain Arcade, where several shop units stand vacant, florist Danyell Goodyear of Elizabeth Lorine Flowers offered a more positive perspective. "It is a massive help, we lost a lot of people because no-one wants to pay to park, run in and buy a bunch of flowers," she said.
Goodyear described how parking charges had dramatically reduced footfall, forcing her business to rely increasingly on online sales and deliveries. "What's coming in at the moment, I could do at home in my workshop. Why am I paying rent? If I was out of a lease I would have closed by now," she revealed, underscoring the precarious position many retailers find themselves in.
Restaurant Owner Sees Immediate Benefit
On Dudley High Street, Saima Altaf, owner of the Lahori Feast restaurant, welcomed the change as good news for both customers and businesses. "Customers were complaining, we prepare our food, it takes 15 or 20 minutes and if they need to keep an eye on parking people are not relaxed," she explained.
Altaf believes the policy shift will allow diners to enjoy their meals without the constant anxiety of parking tickets or expired meters, potentially encouraging longer visits and increased spending.
Business Improvement District Response
Vicky Shakespeare, manager of Halesowen's Business Improvement District (BID), offered strong support for the council's decision. "The news of the parking charge U-turn is hugely welcomed and not a second too soon," she declared.
Shakespeare reported that businesses had experienced profit reductions of up to 30 percent since charges were introduced, with footfall dropping noticeably even during the traditionally busy Christmas period. "We can't wait to see the High Street return to its former glory," she added, noting planned events and volunteer efforts to enhance the town's appearance.
Underlying Council Finances Questioned
Despite the council's assertion that improved finances allow for the removal of charges, some traders remain unconvinced. Dave Flavell pointed to a broken toilet facility on the market that the council claims it cannot afford to repair as evidence of ongoing financial constraints.
"Our toilet is broken, Dudley Council said they haven't got the money to repair it. We've got no toilet – four o'clock in the morning we get here and we can't go to the toilet until nine o'clock; that with the money is rubbish, I don't believe it," he stated, highlighting a disconnect between council announcements and local reality.
The parking policy reversal represents a significant shift for Dudley Council, but its ultimate success will depend on whether it can reverse the shopping habits established during years of charges and convince customers to return to the town centre.
