Outcry over plans to sell car park as traders clash with council
More than 1,000 people have signed a petition set up by traders in Bedford Place opposed to the proposed sale of the Amoy Street car park.
Selling the car park, which offers 54 spaces across the north and south sections, has come forward for consideration as part of the Southampton City Council's asset development and disposal programme.
Conservative councillor Jeremy Moulton saw his motion requesting engagement with businesses, a full economic impact assessment and for the final decision to be made at a cabinet meeting voted down by the majority Labour group.
Cllr Moulton said it would be 'very bad news' for Bedford Place if the Amoy Street sites were sold.
He told full council on Wednesday, July 16, that they were the preferred car parks for long stay use as they are directly opposite all of the shops, they are surface car parks and they are well lit.
The Millbrook ward member asked Labour leaders to 'rule out categorically' any plans to sell the car parks in Handford Place, Southampton Street, Kings Park Road and Ordnance Road at least while the city council remains in its current form before local government reorganisation.
Cllr Bogle said a final decision on Amoy Street would be made after assessing the feedback from the recent traffic regulation order consultation.
'What I can commit to as I speak right now is this is the only one in the Bedford Place area that we are proposing to sell,' Cllr Bogle said.
'I can't say never because that is impossible to say.
'The likelihood of selling another car park in this area is very low based on the analysis we have done and quite considerable amount of work and also the valuation.'
Caroline French, owner Hampshire's oldest independent shoe shop W. J. French & Son, spoke at the meeting on behalf of Bedford Place businesses and residents who are 'deeply concerned' about the proposed sale.
She said the car parks are consistently well used, regularly reaching 75 per cent occupancy or higher.
'At a time when footfall is already under strain due to shifting consumer habits and economic challenges, reducing parking provision risks deterring the very visitors our businesses rely on,' Ms French said.
'For many, particularly elderly customers, families with young children and individuals attending medical clinics, proximity and convenience are not luxuries, they are necessities.'
She said alternative parking options are not viable, referencing views that Bedford Place multi-storey is unsafe due to anti-social behaviour and drug use, and Handford Place felt 'isolated and uninviting'.
Ms French added: 'Once sold these car parks are lost forever.
'This is an irreversible decision with long-term implications for the area's viability.
'We urge the council to reconsider this proposal and engage meaningfully with local traders and residents to identify alternative solutions that financial needs with long-term needs of Southampton's local high streets.'
Cllr Bogle said an 'extensive' exercise had been carried out to analyse demand and Amoy Street was the least used car park.
She said the administration had already made a commitment to do further work with businesses.
Cabinet member for finance and resources Cllr Simon Letts said: 'This car park will remain as a car park up until the time that the developer, if there is a developer, starts on site.
'I would imagine there would be two to three years potentially of continued use and during which time we can look at the options between the balance between long stay and short stay.'
In his closing comments on the motion, Cllr Moulton said: 'I think you need to talk to the businesses.
'Why on earth are you progressing with this without talking to them? It just strikes me as unbelievable.
'It might be that they actually come to you and say we have got some very good solutions about how you can generate some income, generate some capital and we can all have a win-win result.'
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