News

Parking

The Executive Committee have worked hard to convince the North Tyneside Council to implement parking charges of 1p per minute. This was as a result of businesses informing us that their short-term stay customers had stopped visiting North Shields when the increased charges were introduced in 2005. With a minimum charge of 5p this new charge should entice customers to return to the town centre for their shopping.

Decriminalisation commenced on 24th June 2007 when North Tyneside Council took over control of parking enforcement and collection of fines. The Chamber will monitor this scheme very closely to ensure our members' loading and unloading times are not impeded. Overall though, if properly operated, the scheme should be successful and ensure sufficient availability of parking spaces for customers and visitors alike.

Since the introduction of decriminalisation of parking, over 700 fines have been issued in North Tyneside. We are attempting to find out exactly how many of those were issued in North Shields.

There is a disparity in the number of charged parking spaces between North Shields, Whitley Bay and Wallsend, with North Shields suffering 41% of charged parking, Whitley Bay 7% and Wallsend 15%. The Council has produced a draft parking strategy which proposes to increase the charged parking in all three town centres. The increased charged parking proposals go to Cabinet on 14th August and the result will be discussed at our AGM. In an attempt to reduce this current disparity in North Shields and try to win customers back to our town centre, Maggie has requested the council allow free weekend parking in North Shields. We will keep you updated on this issue.

Let us know your views on the parking charges and decriminalisation.

AGM

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 21st August 07 at 6pm in the Beacon Centre management Suite. All North Shields Chamber of Trade and Commerce members are invited; refreshments and buffet will be provided.

Please see a member of security on the mall for escort to Centre Management office.Please note, mall doors are locked at

6pm.

Town Centre Improvements

As part of the regeneration plans the Council has agreed to look at improving the access and appearance of North Shields town centre. The town centre manager will be painting the street furniture in the near future and in the long term there may be funding available to replace the bins and seats. The Beacon Centre landlord is discussing the possibility of providing a contribution to pedestrianising the lower part of Bedford Street from McDonalds to the junction with Saville Street. Surveys have yet to take place but if this initiative goes ahead, this will greatly improve the town centre. The buses would have to be relocated and one proposal is they could be re-routed down Little Bedford Street. The council suggest adding a gateway to the town centre and possibly another at the bottom of the proposed new pedestrianisation as a gateway to the main shopping area.

Tell us your views on these initiatives and any other comments or suggestions you may have on improving your town centre.