Pressure remains on Liverpool’s hospitality industry as the introduction of controversial car parking charges in the city centre face a legal battle. More than a dozen businesses have signed up to launch an action against officials as they say it risks damaging the city centre economy “when businesses are already facing immense pressures.”
Council moves to throw out challenge
Liverpool Council is moving to throw out the challenge, instigated by former member Alfie Hincks, who operates Seascope Maritime Training. Peter Schriewersmann, co-chair of the Liverpool Hospitality Association, told the ECHO his industry was “keen to see a change” but remained open to discussions with city leaders on a way forward.
In July last year, it was finally confirmed parking charges would be extended in the city centre until 11pm. Despite almost 90% of people indicating they were against the move, councillors pressed ahead with the change, arguing it would standardise parking across the city centre.
Last summer, signage and parking meters were updated across the city centre to reflect the changes to the controlled parking zone (CPZ). As a result, drivers are no longer able to leave their cars on city streets for free after 6pm.
Hospitality sceptical of council arguments
Mr Schriewersmann, co-owner of the Happy Days accommodation group, said his organisation was skeptical of the arguments around the extension of the charging period. He said: “We have had conversations in various guises with relevant people in the cabinet, the leader and so on along the way but no change was made.
“Somebody took forward a case to the court because they felt there was something done technically wrong and we support that and ultimately we are very keen to just see a change, ideally back to how things were in terms of the hours and the amounts charged, but we are always open for a conversation.
“The arguments revolve around revenue, and while I appreciate that councils all over the country are skint, it is not right to raise that money this particular way, as we will see, when the legal challenge plays out.
“It was mentioned by the council along the way that this is the Manchester model, which is also incorrect, because in Manchester some of the parts of Manchester only go to a maximum of 8pm.”
Judicial review and council response
The judicial review challenges the council’s decision to introduce significantly increased parking charges across the city, arguing that the measures are unlawful and will have a damaging impact on Liverpool’s economy, workers and visitors. The ECHO understands the council has asked the court to strike out the claim, alleging that the claimant did not comply with the procedural requirements for serving it.
Mr Schriewersmann said he would continue to urge city leaders to come back around the table to work on a way forward for the hospitality industry in a bid to relieve pressure on businesses across the city. He said: “There’s no coherent argument there other than revenue, and that is not good for us because we are not in a position to bear the brunt of that at the moment.
“We’ve given the council many opportunities to either reconsider or ask for a meeting to sit down and so that’s what we will continue to do, ask them to sit down and have a meaningful conversation. The pressure remains significant, because of this car park charge and other pressures we face.
“The Liverpool hospitality association will always be open to constructive and meaningful conversation with any of our guests, particularly when it comes to more difficult subjects, such as the car park charges or also the overnight visitor levy, which might come into force at some stage in the future. We are always open to conversation.”
A spokesperson for Liverpool Council said: “The council is confident that it has complied with all relevant legal requirements. However, we will not be commenting further on an ongoing legal matter.”
