AN ABERGAVENNY trader has warned the local authority that if car-parking charges are increased it could signal the death knell for many small independent retailers that give the town its own particular character.

John Bannon,(pictured above) the proprietor of Jaybee Soft Furnishings, understands that there are moves by Monmouthshire County Council to increase car parking charges in line with inflation on a temporary basis whilst the whole subject of car parking charges and their effect on small towns is being reviewed by a sub committee of the council.

"I believe increasing car parking charges will be a huge mistake and could sound the death knell for many of the small independent traders," he said.

"The retail trade in our small town gives Abergavenny its own particular character and the issue of car parking charges is now well documented at national level."

Mr Bannon added that the situation was finely balanced with many retailers in a fragile situation and just about hanging onto their businesses hoping for better times and an influx of summer tourists / food festival visitors.

He added: "Any increase in parking charges will have a huge adverse impact, not only on the morale of the high street traders, but also on the shoppers visiting the town.

"Surely any benefit to the council coffers would be negated by the possibility of decreased car parking revenue?

"I feel there is a need for the authority's review into the situation to be pro-active and come up with new initiatives to boost our town centre and protect the large amount of jobs that the businesses provide – initiatives such as 'Free after 3pm' or the first 15 minutes free, would be the most welcome or anything similar."

Councillor John Prosser is the chairman of a working group looking into all aspects of car parking in the county.

He told the Chronicle: "We are looking at all aspects of car parking from its pricing to its status (long stay or short stay) to finding ways to increase the number of vehicles using the car parks during slack times.

"I have investigated schemes like 'Free after Three' to use the spare capacity in town centre car parks in the afternoon.

"We are devising a set of draft proposals which will be presented to the council in the summer.

"We've got to get it right for the community and only by consultation can we get the right answer."

But Mr Bannon points out that not too far into the distant future, the Cattle Market redevelopment will mean a large amount of disruption to the town centre. Mr Bannon added: "Demolition followed by the resulting building works, noise and dust will hardly entice many new visitors to Abergavenny. 

"I would think we have to work hard to keep the existing retail footfall. The town raising charges surely could not come at a worse time."

Mr Bannon then appealed to his fellow town centre traders to get behind the newly-formed Abergavenny Business Club.

"We need to work together to present our town in the best possible light to enhance our area as a weekend / tourist destination and build on the good work of the marketing of the 'Food Festival' and the 'Welcome to Walkers' initiatives."

Mr Bannon concluded: "If we step back and look at how visitors perceive our town we would realise there is a lot of work to be done. This requires the repainting of business premises, tidying up of the pedestrianised surfaces and freshening up of street furniture and signs.

"All this can be done with a proactive and understanding council and by working together we can achieve a town we can be proud of and one which is thriving because of increased footfall within the retail areas.

"But with the pressure of 'out of town' and internet shopping, I also hope that local people do use all our independent shops as without that support the future is indeed bleak."