Merry Hill mogul's parking fees warning
Merry Hill developer Roy Richardson today marked the shopping centre's 20th birthday by pleading with its new owners: "Do not bring in parking charges."
Mr Richardson, who with his late twin Don made the giant out-of-town mall a reality, said free parking has been a cornerstone of the centre's soaring success and charging would be an "adverse" step.
Current owner Westfield says it would like to bring in charging for parking, although it has delayed making a decision as the recession continues.
It claims Government pressure to force people out of their cars and into public transport may necessitate 'managed parking.'
But Mr Richardson, aged 79, today named free parking, cleanliness and security as the recipe for the centre's top retailing reputation. He said: "I think parking charges would have an adverse affect on trade but not kill it.
"It's not what the public wants and if I still owned Merry Hill I would not be charging for parking.
"It's not what we intended when it was built - more than 10,000 free spaces remain a huge part of the centre's success." Plans have been mooted by Westfield to charge 50p for an hour, £3.50 for five hours and a further £1.50 for each additional hour.
But stores including Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Asda and Sainsbury's have fought the proposals which they say would alienate the tens of thousands of shoppers who visit every week.
Mr Richardson was today marking the 20th birthday hosting a celebratory reception in Dudley's Council House, in Priory Road, where he will thank those who supported the site during its development.
When plans for the mammoth shopping centre were first suggested in 1984, there was outrage from some councillors, residents and traders who said it would lead to the demise of Black Country high streets. Those who stood by the brothers' plans will attend the event and reminisce about its rise to success.
Merry Hill has achieved many notable firsts and landmark achievements over the last 20 years including the first free-standing Pizza Hut in the UK, the first drive-thru McDonald's restaurant, the largest Texas Homecare store - now known as Homebase - and the only fare paying elevated monorail system to operate in the Northern Hemisphere.
Margaret Thatcher, who was Prime Minister when the rate-free Enterprise Zones which allowed Merry Hill to be built were allocated, has posted a letter to Mr Richardson thanking him for his "initiative and vision" on the development's 20th anniversary.
