Small businesses in one part of Merseyside have raised concerns about parking enforcement, financial burdens and its negative impact on accessibility for customers
Claire Smithwick, owner of Your Flower Company, with a few of her recent parking tickets(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“The council are not supportive at all, and it’s almost like they want to make your life more difficult”. These are the words of small business owner, Claire Smithwick, as she reflects on the “parking chaos” outside her beautifully adorned shop-front on St Johns Road.
Your Flower Company (YFC) is a well known and popular florist in Waterloo, serving the local community and its surrounding areas. It’s distinctive floral displays and friendly service has made it a much-loved and popular fixture on the high street for many years.
Like several other businesses and local residents on St Johns Road, Claire has made formal complaints about parking and says the enforcement team do not listen when legitimate concerns are raised.
The Liverpool ECHO understands the parking problems in this part of Waterloo are “notorious”. We spoke to several people who said it’s “very difficult” to find a parking spot off St Johns Road and virtually “impossible” to find a space on it, during business hours.
Claire Smithwick, owner of Your Flower Company, loading her van on St John’s Rd in Waterloo(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Claire said her branded van has been issued with 15 parking fines so far this year, despite raising legitimate concerns with Sefton Council about parking access. She added: “They know it’s chaos with parking around here but they have no solutions to it.
“The traffic wardens don’t give you the heads up and they’re not willing to discuss the issues we have here.
“I am loading and unloading the van all day and need to have my van close to the shop because there’s a lot to carry. But there’s double yellow lines directly outside, and then during the day, it’s almost impossible to find a space. I’m forced to park outside my shop and then get fined so, I’m stuck between a rock and hard place.”
After receiving her latest parking fine on October 1, Claire took to YFC’s Facebook page to share her frustration, writing: “Sefton Council you really should be ashamed that this is allowed to happen to small businesses. This isn’t the only one I’ve had, it happens on a regular basis whether I’m in a parking bay or not.
Claire Smithwick, owner of Your Flower Company on St Johns Rd in Waterloo(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“Despite numerous emails to you regarding tickets, enquiries to see if small businesses can have a permit – nothing changes. I am so close to closing my doors today.”
The post was commented on by several local residents and YFC customers sharing Claire’s frustration and offering support. Alice Connolly wrote: “How are you expected to get anything done if you can’t park outside?”
James Harrison said: “We got three [fines] in 24 hours [on the] same road! Can’t even park outside your own business, how do they expect a customer to park?”
Lesley Messham added: “Happened to me all the time when I had a business on that road in 2001. Complained, requested permits, even permits for my customers who also experienced [parking] tickets.”
The ECHO understands the ward councillor, Green Party representative Neil Doolin is looking into the issues raised by Claire and other small businesses in the area. One potential issue has already been identified and that’s the elongated double yellow lines stretching 20-30 metres around the bend from the A565 and past Claire’s shop and the adjacent alleyway.
Vehicles parking on double yellow lines outside Claire’s business(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Claire added: “I’ve got four tickets right here and in all honesty, I can’t afford to pay them and they’re going to go up and up. Then there’s the court and it’s just … what am I supposed to do? I can’t just magic money out of the air.
“It’s stressful enough owning a business, and when it isn’t doing well, or when you’re not busy, it can be really hard. When you’re trying to feed your kids, feed your family, pay all your bills and then to add the pressure of these fines and the council not supporting you, it mentally affects you.
“It feels like you’re hounded by the traffic wardens and there’s no end in sight to it because we’re not presented with any solutions.
“Do we need permits? Should there be a different approach to enforcement? Loading bays? Maybe all of those, but things can’t go on like this because its just chaos and its affecting everyone.”
The ECHO contacted Sefton Council several times for comment.