Paying a price for free parking

Good intentions, not good for business: Muirs Bookshop co-owner Kim Pittar (pictured) says the district council’s free parking initiative in the city centre had been taken advantage of by day workers, who had parked in spaces intended for customers. Those sentiments were echoed by other CBD businesses. The initiative ended today. Picture by Liam Clayton

A free parking initiative aimed at encouraging shoppers back into town following Cyclone Gabrielle has had the opposite effect, a group of retailers say. 
Today marked the end of a two-week district council initiative to support local businesses during the state of emergency.
But local retailers and service providers say it had been an inconvenience because of day workers taking advantage of the arrangement and parking outside their place of work. 
“I think it’s just human nature. If it’s free and it’s convenient, we’ll use it,” Muirs Bookshop co-owner Kim Pittar said. 
“But that’s not what it’s there for and it’s actually inconveniencing our customers and our business. People need to think about their actions.”
Scott Bowering, who owns coffee shop Mr Clifton’s, said the free parking had particularly affected high-volume businesses that relied on steady patronage to make ends meet.
In the last week, he had seen regular customers drive around the block several times looking for a park before giving up.
“It’s frustrating. We know it’s coming from a good place,” Mr Bowering said. “They (the council) are trying to help but the road to hell is paved with good intentions. It’s making trading conditions really hard.” 
Grant Bros Barber and Gifts owner Renee Grant echoed that sentiment, saying she too had noticed most spots were taken by people working in town.
By the time her shop opened at 8am, many parks had already been taken, she said.
“It’s full of the workers . . . parking right outside where they work. People in Gisborne don’t like walking.” 
Having noticed similar issues, Stirling Sports owner Tracey Johnston said she asked her staff to park down the road as a courtesy.
Businesses were doing it tough following the cyclone and the feeling in the streets was one of sadness, Truly owner Trish Maclean said. 
She encouraged people to buy local, if possible. 
“There’s a sombre mood out there and people are busy cleaning up, but businesses are suffering.”
Some of the businesses affected said they had received a visit from councillor Larry Foster over the issue.
Mr Foster told Local Democracy Reporting that free parking “doesn’t work”.
“We’re in a state of emergency so there are a lot of more serious issues, but if town’s open, people need to be able to access shops. 
“It’s a good gesture but as far as retailers are concerned . . . it doesn’t work for them at all.”
Council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said it had been a tough few weeks for the region and the free parking was one way the council hoped to fill the CBD with people, get businesses going again and try to transition back to a sense of normality.