Parking problems driving shoppers away, survey finds

4th July 2008

Transport and the high cost of parking are seen as significant issues that could affect the economic health of major retail centres in South London, a survey has revealed.

Asked by the organisation South London Business what were the reasons which prevented people from shopping in certain towns, nearly 61% of local firms said high parking costs while nearly 54% cited heavy traffic congestion and 49% said the availability of parking spaces.

An “uninviting local environment” was also a factor with both Croydon and Sutton town centres recognised as such in the survey.

The twice-yearly survey is sent to 15,000 businesses in the London boroughs south of the Thames. “It gives us an ongoing picture of what firms are thinking, what barriers exist to business growth and economic prosperity and what they believe the future holds for them,” said Peter Pledger, chief executive of South London Business.

The current survey, undertaken just before the full impact of the Northern Rock crisis was felt, found the quality of life generally and access to customers were the main reasons why firms located themselves or stayed in the South London area. Overall, 79% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the South London area as a business location.

Asked to list the their top three solutions to help the retail sector in South London firms plumped for subsidised premises for small businesses, reduced parking costs and grants to improve the appearance of town centre shop-fronts. Next came better marketing of an area as a retail location and more police on the streets.

To view the full analytical report of the survey, please Click Here

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