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'Parking charges killing the city': Wolverhampton bar owner says takings down 30 per cent as car parks lie empty

A leading Wolverhampton businessman warns that the city will become a 'ghost town' during the daytime unless the council rethinks its parking charges.

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By Mark Andrews
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Shaun Keasey, chairman of Wolverhampton Pub Watch and owner of a number of bars in the city, said takings at his Royal London bar in Wulfruna Street had fallen by 30-40 per cent since the new charges were introduced in November. 

Empty spaces at Broad Street car park
Empty spaces at Broad Street car park
Empty spaces at Broad Street car park in Wolverhampton
Empty spaces at Broad Street car park in Wolverhampton
Shaun Keasey says increased car parking charges are hitting trade and leaving car parks near-empty
Shaun Keasey says increased car parking charges are hitting trade and leaving car parks near-empty

Mr Keasey said the long-stay car park in Broad Street, which saw the charge for more than four hours' parking double from £4.50 to £9, was deserted this week.

When the rises were announced last year, Wolverhampton Council said they were necessary to plug a £33 million deficit over the next three years. The authority said the charges would raise an extra £1 million a year towards the shortfall.

 But Mr Keasey questioned whether Wolverhampton Council was actually making any money out of the increase, given the drop in people visiting the town.