Trader loses business over customers' parking problems

HIGH parking charges and lack of parking spaces are hitting businesses in Shepherd’s Bush, traders claim. 

Mr Abdul Wasay, 51, of Friars Way, Ealing, says the £1 an hour parking meter charge is driving customers away from his Orya Textiles shop in Shepherd’s Bush Market.

The struggling businessman said: “I have lost 50 per cent of my business thanks to those meters especially since Westfield was built. Westfield can offer the huge cheaper car park, while we have so many problems with parking.

“It costs £1 per hour it’s just too much for our customers to pay. They come here for cheaper fabric but once they pay the parking charges it’s no longer cheaper.”

The shop owner argues that the market is in an already crowded area with two busy roads, Goldhawk Road and Uxbridge Road, in Shepherd’s Bush, either side of the market. Mr Wasay believes the parking meters add to the stress when trying to find a free or cheap parking spot.

He said: “I can’t afford to lose more money. Along with rent charges and the other bills I have to pay, having customers drive away because they can’t park is killing my business.”

Hammersmith and Fulham Council have said they carried out a study recently and discovered that in fact the majority of the customers shopping in Shepherd’s Bush Market travel by foot rather than car.

Cllr Nick Botterill, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment said: "The council refutes any suggestion that the recent small parking charge increases has led to such a dramatic fall in trade at the market.

“Recent research has shown the vast majority of people who visit Shepherds Bush Market live very close to the site and travel to the market on foot and not by car.

“The council has also recently opened nine new two-hour bays in Pennard Road in a direct response to the concerns of traders, so it has never been easier for motorists to park close by."