A shop owner has blamed the introduction of parking permits near his business for a loss of earnings. 

Barrie Bartholomew, owner of Eats and Treats on St Albans Road, Watford, has said his takings have taken a hit between 8am and 10am - the timeframe when parking permits are active. 

The permits were introduced by Watford Council last year after a consultation with people who live in the area and shop owners.

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Mr Bartholomew said: “There weren’t any restrictions before. Now, because people cannot park on the side roads such as Cecil Street, they aren’t coming in for breakfast.

“My takings have gone down by nearly ten, maybe 12% between 8am to 10am.”

Mr Bartholomew, who has run Eats and Treats for 25 years, said that five years ago shop owners and residents in the St Albans Road area came together to successfully stop parking permits being brought in. 

However, this time, most of the residents were in favour of the permits being introduced.

Mr Bartholomew said: “There are not enough shop owners to put their weight against residents, so in the end, the council said permits were being introduced.”

He added: “There is a car park on St Albans Road, which is only £1 for four hours, but I’ve lost customers because they won’t walk from the car park,whereas before they were parking along Cecil Street at the back of my shop.”

Mr Bartholomew did recognise that business has not been the same since Covid first hit the country, but he still believes the parking permits are a huge part of his financial downturn in the morning.

Councillor Ian Stotesbury, who is Watford’s portfolio holder for transport and sustainability, said the permits were introduced to protect the area of Callowland from commuter parking.

He added that the council has retained short stay parking facilities in St Albans Road and in side roads.  

Cllr Stotesbury backed local shops and said: “I absolutely love visiting the businesses on St Albans Road and can't recommend it enough, please do visit them and try them out."

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