Littlehampton beach car park rise plans ‘ridiculous’

Residents and visitors using seafront car parks in March and October will see charges rise from 60p for up to an hour, to £2, and if they want to stay longer, the current £1.20 payment for up to two hours is set to rise to £4, for up to four hours.

Amusement site Harbour Park, the East Beach Café and Inspire Leisure, which runs both the Windmill Entertainment Centre and Littlehampton Swimming and Sports Centre, are among the businesses which have sent objections to Arun District Council.

A spokeswoman for Arun said winter charges for seafront car parks were not being changed, nor were those in town centre car parks. However, the summer season, previously from April to September, would now run from March to October, reflecting the fact that Easter often fell in March and the autumn half-term holiday was in October.

Gary Smart, managing director of Harbour Park, said the higher charges for March and October would affect attempt to boost the number of customers in those “shoulder” months either side of the main summer season.

“The huge increases proposed seem to be out of touch with reality. We understand the council has difficulties with its finances and money is tight, but this is too much in one go.”

Jane Wood, owner of the East Beach Café and West Beach Café, described the proposed charges as “ridiculously inflated”.

She added: “Whilst we the local businesses are desperately trying to bring more people to the local attractions year round, all they seem to be doing is turning them away.”

John Stride, chief executive of Inspire Leisure, said: “The suggested rises of 233 per cent in October and March, and 33.33 per cent in the general summer period are likely to have another negative impact on participation figures.

“With a new £14m-plus swimming facility opening shortly in Worthing, with free parking, the charge is likely to deter potential customers.”

Mike Northeast, Arun councillor for Ham ward, was also critical of the increases.

“They wouldn’t do this in the town centre, they know how devastating it would be for the traders there. So why on the seafront, where people are also trying to make a living?”

Consultation on the charges ends next Friday and if Arun cabinet member Paul Dendle approves them, the new rates come in from April 1.