Visitors to Canterbury could be charged up to £27 overnight if new parking plans go ahead.
Canterbury hotel owners were baffled by the council’s proposal to remove the hotel and guest permits in Canterbury which would cause them to pay full price to park in the city.
Sandra Heyworth of Canterbury Cathedral Lodge worked out that by removing the permit it could cost hotel guests up to £27.27 to park overnight if other proposed parking charge rates go up. Mrs Heyworth said: “We feel that’s not acceptable and we feel that a lot of our guests just won’t pay that.”
The changes would mean an increased cost of £21 from the current £6 for guest parking permits in the city.
Mrs Heyworth went on to say around 60% of their guests used the permit system as only 30% could park on the grounds, and just 10% use public transport. This would mean that even if the hotel decreased room rates by £10 to make up for the new parking cost, it would cost the hotel a further £66,000 per year.
Three hotel representatives feared this could put people off staying in Canterbury altogether.
Sandie de Rougemont of House of Agnes had similar concerns. “Guests come expecting to park and take advantage of the council parking vouchers,” Mrs de Rougemont said. “The other hotels and businesses are going to have less footfall. It’s just a vicious cycle.”
The House of Agnes currently pays in advance for these permits for their guests. The hotel representative was also concerned with the building of a new multi-storey carpark by Canterbury West train station. “There’s just no joined-up thinking. The car park will increase pollution in the city,” Mrs de Rougemont said.
She also expressed concerns that this could increase congestion, damaging the House of Agnes hotel – a historic building – due to air pollution and vibration.
Councillor Michael Dixey also expressed his concern about the changes, which were proposed in a recent report paid for by the council. Cllr Dixey said that the local plan designated the closure of 439 car park spaces in the city centre and was worried about the effect it would have on businesses and hotels. This is a concern that is also shared by business owners in Whitstable who also feel threatened by parking changes.
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