Small business owners in Queenborough, a seaside town on the Isle of Sheppey, have reported a dramatic drop in footfall after Swale Council introduced parking charges at previously free car parks on 1 April. The fees, implemented at Park Road and Queenborough Library car parks, have led to what traders describe as an 'empty' ghost town.
Several pubs, including the Flying Dutchman, the Rose Inn, The Old House at Home, and the Admiral's Arms, have displayed notices banning councillors who voted for the charges. Fayleigh Mcilory, bar manager at the Flying Dutchman, said the car park is 'empty every single day' and that business has halved since the fees were introduced.
Sandra Fowle, co-owner of Bosuns tea room, said her establishment is empty in the afternoons, while Fedat Surucu of Luna’s Cafe has resorted to reimbursing customers for their first hour of parking. The council expects the charges to generate £2.7 million in revenue for the 2025/2026 financial year, after having to draw £1.7 million from reserves to balance its budget.
Community groups have also been affected. Ray Butcher, chair of Queenborough’s Castle Connections hub, said Age UK has ended its Knit & Natter group due to the charges, and other clubs are threatening to relocate. Councillor Charles Gibson acknowledged the financial pressures, stating that free parking is not possible in the current climate.
A Swale council spokesperson defended the charges, noting they remain lower than in many neighbouring coastal areas and that seasonal pricing has been introduced to manage demand. The council plans to review the impact of the policies in due course.
