BHA opposes plans to abandon free evening parking in Westminster

22nd January 2010, 11:25am

The British Hospitality Association has voiced its opposition to plans by Westminster City Council to extend car parking charges in the area to midnight on Monday to Saturday.

Bob Cotton, chief executive, says that BHA members are 'massively concerned' at the proposal.

In a letter to Cllr Robert Davis, deputy leader of the council, Cotton says that the proposal to abandon free evening parking will have the effect of putting people off visiting Westminster and spending in its restaurants and other businesses.

"This will damage jobs, investments and future prospects."

Cotton explained that the BHA was totally opposed to the plan, particularly at the present time when restaurants were still severely affected by the economic downturn.

"Even though the Council needs to raise its revenues, increasing costs for the consumer in this way will damage the restaurant and retail industries at a very fragile time. This is not the way to go forward."

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