04 November 2008, 14:15 PM
  • Parking policies are often a touchy subject with town centre retailers, but a group of Marston retailers are celebrating a new rule, which makes access to their shops easier.

Although stores on Cherwell Drive enjoy ample parking areas, trade had been suffering in recent years as a growing number of people were leaving their cars all day, meaning shoppers had limited access to the shops. Thankfully, after long months of negotiations with the council, a limit on parking time has now been imposed.

“I came to this shop a little under two years ago – I chose it because it had good parking facilities,” explains Sandra Kerwood who owns Seasons Deli. “At the start there weren’t any problems, but then people started parking here all day and it left no space at all for our customers. What followed was an 18-month fight with the council to bring a limit on the time people can stay.”

With a two-hour limit now in place, local shoppers find it easier to park. And, even though the new rule was only introduced a little over a week ago, local stores have already witnessed an upturn in business. Ms Kerwood says, “There is a massive difference. My customers tell me they’re really glad they can now park near the shop. We have more people coming to the store – even last week, which was half term and is generally very quiet for us.”

However, Mr Kerwood believes it will be a while before all shoppers return to Cherwell Drive. “A lot of people have given up on shopping here, so it will take some time for things to go back to normal.”