A BUSINESS group in Chester that represents all city centre traders has expressed disappointment at plans to axe a free afternoon parking scheme.

Carl Critchlow, manager of CH1ChesterBID, spoke out after news last week that Chester Race Company is scrapping the ‘free after 2’ offer at its Linenhall car park.

The racecourse said the move was in line with Cheshire West and Chester Council’s decision to scrap its own ‘free after 3’ initiative in all city centre car parks.

One businessman told The Standard this week that the move could be the "final nail" for traders at a time when they are hoping to attract festive shoppers.

Mr Critchlow said: "We're disappointed by the removal of the free after 2pm incentive at Linenhall car park on weekdays.

"Improving transport infrastructure and making it as easy as possible for people to get into the city centre and visit their favourite shops, bars and restaurants has always been something we've pushed and campaigned for on behalf of our members.

Chester and District Standard:

Carl Critchlow, manager of CH1ChesterBID.

"We're now entering the most important time of the year for many of our businesses, with the Christmas season officially underway following a spectacular light-switch on and parade last week.

“We really want to carry that momentum on, so we’re urging shoppers to make sure they choose Chester city centre for all things Christmas this year and to keep on visiting and supporting their favourite stores.”

A spokesman for Chester Race Company said: “The changes at Linenhall reflect the council’s changes in parking policy and the abolishment of the ‘Free After 3’ scheme.”

She also stressed the racecourse had introduced a successful free Sunday parking initiative at the racecourse in 2017, which continued this year and will remain in place next year.

Furthermore, parking will be free at Linenhall on Thursday evenings for late night shopping between 5pm and 10pm until December 20.

However, this brought little solace to Alex Sharp, owner of the Watergate Street Gallery, who said the move could be the “final nail” for traders.

In a letter to the council leader Samantha Dixon, seen by this newspaper, he said: “I cannot believe the Race Co would be stupid enough to make this decision without communicating it to BID / the associations and retailers.

“We are trying to rebuild relations with them and believe me this has just put us back five years and the backlash from retailers I dread to think.”

He also slammed the council for its parking policy.

“You’ve lost sight of the real world of city centre business and are becoming responsible for the death of retail in what should be the jewel in Cheshire’s Crown,” he wrote to Cllr Dixon.

“As a council you are greedy and short-sighted, and it will backfire when the city is deserted because of your parking policy.”

CWaC has been approached for a comment but previously said it was "committed" to supporting businesses in the city and stressed ‘free after 3’ was being replaced with other offers rather than being scrapped.

“Analysis strongly suggests that Free after 3 is having only a limited impact, while contributing to the evening peak in traffic and air pollution,” said Cllr Karen Shore, cabinet member for environment. “The time spent in the city by those using ‘Free after 3’ is short – in most cases less than an hour - whereas research shows that dwell time is a key factor in successful retail centres, including the High Street."