The owner of Ilkeston’s Corner Cafe, is calling the town a “mess”, and wants the council to clean it up. Other businesses are also highlighting the issue of car parking charges in the town centre.

On 5 August 2024, the Federation of Small Businesses released a new report titled 'The Future of the High Street' – which found that 49% of traders thought their local parking is "poorly managed".

The report recommends that local authorities should create pop-up markets for new businesses, launch community-specific online market places, and introduce free parking on at least two Sundays a month.

In the East Midlands, 70% of people spoken to reported having small vacant units on their high street, which is the highest rate across England (the lowest was London, at 54%).

"A lot of people are really annoyed"

– Sarah Ogden, Martin Ogden Butchers

It's an issue which is being addressed in Long Eaton with the creation of the Long Eaton Town Deal – after Erewash Borough Council secured £25 million to improve the town. Although, that money must be spent by March 2026.

Sarah Ogden (right) from Martin Ogden Butchers

From Martin Ogden Butchers on South Street, Ilkeston, Sarah Ogden observed that if customers want to just 'pop' into a couple of shops, the parking charge will likely put them off. Although it wasn't all doom-and-gloom, as Ms Ogden also pointed out parking in city centres can now cost upwards of £10.

She stated: "I don't think it's too bad because we went away, and it was seven pounds for all day to park, whereas here it's 3 pounds or something… so in the grand scheme of things I don't think it's too bad."

Richard from Corner Cafe

Meanwhile, at Corner Cafe on Market Square, Richard points to the cleanliness of the town as turning people away. He said: "It's a mess. We hardly ever see road sweepers out."

"When we do [see road sweepers] the job hasn't been done properly. It's like nobody's communicating with each other, and cleanliness and appearance is the biggest thing that attracts people to a town."

Other businesses that spoke to Erewash Sound mainly had concerns about the parking:

• Priti Patel, from John's News: "The Council should help us a little bit by giving [customers] like half an hour free parking or something like that… so they can have a look around and contribute towards the community."
   
• Karen Shaw, from South Perk Sandwich Bar: "I think the main issue is the car parking charges and the fact they put them up. I think if we could get the half an hour free back that would definitely help."
   
• David Thorpe, from Thorpe's Furniture: "It's difficult to please everybody, but at the moment we're pleasing nobody. We can have a bit of parking and make it free for evens and odds on number plates. Something like that."

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What support is Erewash Borough Council providing?

The increase in charges at council-owned car parks is the responsibility of the Borough Council, which raised the lowest price from £1 to £1.50 back on 15 April, after describing itself as being "cash-strapped".

They experimented with free parking for short-stay visitors at Ilkeston's Northgate Street and Long Eaton's New Street car park – although that has now come to a close.

"The rise in fees has had no effect on footfall"

– Councillor Curtis Howard

Councillor Curtis Howard, Erewash's Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration, and Planning, said that the number of shop vacancies in Ilkeston, Long Eaton, Sandiacre, and Borrowash has fallen recently.

He also pointed to the tough financial situation: "The council had to increase car parking charges this year to close its budget deficit and prevent bankruptcy – which would have been far more costly to local residents and businesses."

"We closely track car park usage – and categorically, the rise in fees has had no effect on footfall."

The council also say that they are working on a range of regeneration measures, which includes £10 million for the Long Eaton High Street Upgrade.