Burnham Chamber of Trade lobbies Somerset Council over parking charge proposals 

Burnham Chamber of Trade is lobbing Somerset Council not to proceed with plans to introduce new parking charges in Burnham town centre that would have a damaging impact on trade for shops and businesses. 

• We have issued a statement to local media outlining our position and also written to all the Somerset councillors involved in the review of the proposals expressing our concern. 
• Our position is as follows: We are deeply disappointed by Somerset Council’s proposed changes to parking charges within our area. These measures will have a profoundly detrimental impact on town centre businesses and would deter shoppers from visiting, leading to a downturn in trade and even business closures and job losses across the area, including here in Burnham.
• Parking charges already deter customers from visiting town centres, driving them toward out-of-town supermarkets, shopping malls, or online. Introducing evening charges after 6pm would cause harm to Burnham’s food and hospitality businesses. However, the most damaging aspect of these proposals is the introduction of on-street parking fees.
• The council’s proposal to ‘introduce a charge on street where limited waiting is free’ would hurt Burnham businesses. This change would affect parking throughout the town centre, and even roads nearby. Such measures would severely reduce customer footfall to local businesses, jeopardising their viability and threatening the vitality of our High Street.
• Burnham Chamber of Trade is actively collaborating with other local organisations to highlight to decision-makers the irreversible damage these proposals could inflict. Our initial efforts are reflected in joining together with Burnham Retail Group in our statement, and we are also reaching out individually to each member of the Council committee responsible for evaluating these proposals next week.
• While we understand Somerset Council faces financial challenges, we firmly believe that undermining local businesses will create more significant long-term problems for our community than any short-term financial benefits these charges might provide. Burnham town centre is home to numerous outstanding businesses, many of which are already contending with the effects of national economic pressures. Now, more than ever, they need support from their local council—not measures that will drive customers away.
• We urge Somerset Council to abandon these proposals and prioritise the long-term prosperity of local businesses and the wider community.

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