Latest news with #GreatBritishHighStreetoftheYear
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Parking charge rise to tackle York's congestion blight, says councillor
A 500% increase in the cost of parking in part of York is justified as part of attempts to tackle the "blight" of congestion, a senior councillor has at Bishopthorpe Road's car park have been increased from 80p an hour to £4.85 by the city council.A petition opposing the rise claimed it was "unreasonable, unaffordable and damaging" to retailers on the street and has attracted more than 5,600 Ravilious, the council's executive member for transport, said parking prices had been raised across the city as part of plans to try and reduce the impact of congestion. "No matter what way you travel into the city everybody is finding their journey blighted by congestion," she said."You are stuck in a traffic jam if you are in your car, the buses are unreliable because of extreme traffic, many people don't feel comfortable or safe walking or cycling because there's so much traffic."The £4.85 fee between Sunday and Thursday rises to £5.30 on Friday, Saturdays and days when events are held and applies across all city centre car parks and on-street parking said the pricing was designed to reflect the cost of a bus ticket, adding that one in four households in the city did not have access to a said if they could cut congestion then buses "start moving" and cycling and walking become "more realistic" options for people. Bishopthorpe Road is known for its independent shops and restaurants, and won Great British High Street of the Year in Nasson, co-owner of eco-pantry store The Bishy Weigh, set up the petition and said retailers on the street were seeing the impact."Already the car park is empty, which means we are getting less customers and the council aren't earning what they want to from the car park."He said an empty car park was "unheard of".Mr Nasson said the petition called on the council to engage with traders, community groups and residents to find a solution that "supports sustainable travel without punishing everyday people". Ravilious said she accepted the increase was a "big jump" as Bishopthorpe Road had been one of the few areas of the city where parking fees were "exceedingly low".She also said a survey by Bishopthorpe Road traders a decade ago had found only 20% of customers came by insisted the charges were essential to get motorists to consider alternatives and doing nothing was not an option."We are trying to redress the balance," she said."The congestion in the city centre is throttling the city, it is throttling businesses, it is killing people in terms of air pollution and it's preventing everybody from getting around." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shoppers angry over 500% parking charge increase
Residents and business owners have described a 500% rise in charges at a local car park as a "disgrace". A petition to scrap the fees on Bishopthorpe Road in York has been set up after they jumped overnight from 80p per hour to £4.85. Joe Nasson, owner of eco-pantry store The Bishy Weigh, said the increases were "unreasonable and unaffordable" and would damage the community. City of York Council, which runs the 35-space car park, said the changes were part of the "local transport strategy which seeks to make York a healthier, more sustainable and better-connected city". Tracey Hindmarch, who owns Millies Fruit & Veg on Bishopthorpe Road, agreed with Mr Nasson and feared she would lose trade. She said: "We're thinking this just might kill the business down here. "One of my customers has said what would normally cost £11 for her breakfast, she's now spent nearly £30 for two people to come out as she didn't know the car park had gone up, she said she won't be doing it again." The £4.85 fee between Sunday and Thursday rises to £5.30 on Friday, Saturdays and days when events are held. Passers-by who spoke to the BBC said they would "simply not pay" the fee despite the lack of non-permit parking in the area. Bishopthorpe Road is known for its independent shops and restaurants, and won Great British High Street of the Year in 2015. The changes to parking charges were approved by City of York Council in February 2025. A spokesperson for City of York Council said: "This includes a pricing structure which aims to cut congestion in the city centre and improve bus service reliability and other ways to travel around the city. "We are aware of the concerns of residents and businesses in the area. We are listening and are monitoring the impact of these parking changes." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Parking charge rises paused amid traders' backlash Fine may be cheaper than parking cost - councillor
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
York car park charges rise by 500% overnight
Residents and business owners have described a 500% rise in charges at a local car park as a "disgrace".A petition to scrap the fees on Bishopthorpe Road in York has been set up after they jumped overnight from 80p per hour to £ Nasson, owner of eco-pantry store The Bishy Weigh, said the increases were "unreasonable and unaffordable" and would damage the of York Council, which runs the 35-space car park, said the changes were part of the "local transport strategy which seeks to make York a healthier, more sustainable and better-connected city". Tracey Hindmarch, who owns Millies Fruit & Veg on Bishopthorpe Road, agreed with Mr Nasson and feared she would lose said: "We're thinking this just might kill the business down here."One of my customers has said what would normally cost £11 for her breakfast, she's now spent nearly £30 for two people to come out as she didn't know the car park had gone up, she said she won't be doing it again." The £4.85 fee between Sunday and Thursday rises to £5.30 on Friday, Saturdays and days when events are who spoke to the BBC said they would "simply not pay" the fee despite the lack of non-permit parking in the Road is known for its independent shops and restaurants, and won Great British High Street of the Year in changes to parking charges were approved by City of York Council in February 2025.A spokesperson for City of York Council said: "This includes a pricing structure which aims to cut congestion in the city centre and improve bus service reliability and other ways to travel around the city."We are aware of the concerns of residents and businesses in the area. We are listening and are monitoring the impact of these parking changes." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Trendy village an hour from Manchester named one of UK's 'coolest places to live' in 2025
A charming village just an hour away from Manchester has been named as one of the UK's 'coolest places to live'. Hoole, a trendy suburb in Chester, is often likened to Notting Hill in west London for its array of independent stores, bars, bistros, and attractive Victorian terraces originally constructed for railway workers. Hoole had an overall average house price of £313,638 over the last year, according to Rightmove. The majority of properties sold were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £370,440. Overall, house prices were 6 percent higher than the previous year. The area gained national recognition when it scooped up the Great British High Street of the Year award in 2016. Seven years later, it still holds onto its cool factor, with The Times listing the CH2 postcode as one of Britain's 11 trendiest postcodes. READ MORE: Majorca issues stark warning as it plans to ditch UK tourists READ MORE: Christie consultant caught in sex act with man on train as passengers sat metres away The Times said: "It's Chester's oldest 'burb, but 'Notting Hoole', as the locals' tongue-in-cheek nickname goes, is the spot for indie spirit and cool café culture within a half-hour saunter of Chezza's city centre. "Beyond bagging a res at the neighbourhood favourite Sticky Walnut, the chef Gary Usher's flagship bistro (the rotation of hearty dishes includes chicken schnitzel and ox heart kebabs), foodies can head to Okells for breads, spreads and silky flat whites, or there are brill brunches on offer at Little Yellow Pig, a thoroughly cute café." It recommended: "The Faulkner is Hoole's go-to gastropub, while the veg boxes from the wholefood store Hoole Food Market are a must. And the crowd? The east London creative Oliver Hooson is a now a regular — he's currently renovating one of the smart Victorian red-bricks in his hometown — as well as cool young parents who have fled London for more space and Parent Power-approved state schools. "If that's your scene, there's pregnancy yoga at Hoole Community Centre and baby-friendly classes at Barre Esthetique. Slings at the ready." Hoole is an affluent area and a sought-after place to live, reports the Echo. In September 2024 Innes North, who relocated from Toxteth to Hoole, shared: "I retired from working at BT when I was 67 and decided to move here to be near my daughter. It's a lovely place to live." "My friends and family are in Liverpool, but they come here all the time for their holidays - I can't get rid of them! I don't miss Liverpool because it's so easy to go there on the train." Meanwhile, Leann Shaw, owner of Hoole Food Market, remarked: "It's just a lovely social shopping experience here. You can buy what you need and you get to talk to the nice people behind the counter." Kevin Bartlett, proprietor of Hoptons Butchers, commented: "Business is good, it's back to normal now after the pandemic. People come here for the quality of the produce and for the service. I think being able to buy what they want in small amounts is a big draw for them." Meanwhile, Sophie, who was employed at the local community centre, expressed her affection for Hoole and its "amazing community", but she is unable to afford living there due to the high cost of rent and property.
