Last updated at 16:46, Friday, 09 November 2012

Rigorous parking enforcement is threatening livelihoods in Maryport, a leading town centre businessman has claimed.

TICKETED OFF: Peter Nixon, owner of Nixon’s in Maryport, with some of his parking tickets

Peter Nixon, of Curzon Street furniture and carpet shop Nixon’s, said he was so fed up with the situation that he was contemplating retirement, which would mean the closure of one of Maryport’s largest and longest established businesses.

He added that he wanted to hear from other businesses affected by parking policies.

Mr Nixon said: “Maybe if we get together we can do something.

“I have had 20 parking tickets this year, and my customers who get tickets may decide it’s easier to shop online or go where there is decent parking.”

He said he regularly received parking tickets for leaving his van on the street while loading up.

“We have to park near the shop to load and unload our heavy furniture, but Allerdale council is just making it more difficult,” he said.

“I can’t afford to pay someone to stay with the van all the time, so it means I get a ticket for leaving it unattended.”

Mr Nixon said he was well aware that parking rules were needed but he was angry at the way they were being enforced, when businesses already faced lean times.

An Allerdale council spokeswoman said: “We appreciate Peter’s concerns over parking enforcement, but they are in place for a reason.

“If we were to make parking enforcement easier on some people and not others, this would cause considerable further problems.”

First published at 11:53, Friday, 09 November 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk