Saville Row founder quits King William Rd after 35 years because of parking nightmare
King William Rd’s longest-established tenant is leaving, saying nightmare parking on the Hyde Park shopping strip has seen the street lose its soul.
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King William Rd’s longest established trader is abandoning the shopping strip, saying the $15.5 million upgrade has ripped out the street’s soul and made parking a nightmare.
Neville Quist, the founder of popular label Saville Row, has run a menswear shop on the Hyde Park road for the past 35 years.
He says Unley Council’s recent upgrade of the thoroughfare had made it so difficult for customers to park, they were now bypassing the road and shopping elsewhere.
“The parking is a nightmare and at least 90 per cent of our customers are telling us that,” Mr Quist, of North Adelaide, said.
“Not just one in five or three in five but virtually everyone who walks in the door.
“This was a poor plan poorly executed by council.
“Every trader on the street knows parking is the elephant in the room and will have to be addressed – but I’m waiting no longer to see it happen.
“I love the place – but I’m voting with my feet.”
Mr Quist, 66, said he had reservations about the upgrade when it was first announced, but desperately wanted Unley Council to prove him wrong.
“I would have been happy to be wrong but it hasn’t happened and we gave it every chance,” he said.
‘This road only exists because of its village atmosphere and free and easy parking.
“Without that people head to the city. We used to have half our business as stop and pop-in trade but that’s over.
“Most people can’t park up on the kerb as they are supposed to.”
The five-time Australia’s Leading Menswear Fashion Designer nominee, who founded Saville Row in 1973, said he had “serious concerns” for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists using the road.
Saville Row’s King William Rd doors will be closed for the final time at the end of the month, and a venue for a new store announced before then.
“We’re very excited for the future as we have strong product and service but we just can’t be here any longer as the soul has left the street,” Mr Quist said.
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Emma Kardachi, from Nido and Joybird restaurants, said the council had provided “plenty of on-street parking” for customers.
“Whether that looks very nice is debatable,” Ms Kardachi said.
“I try and park in the streets behind because I don’t like an audience when I park in any event.”
Warren Jones, from Friends of Unley residents group, said parking remained the biggest issue on the road.
A council spokesman said the street had always seen a turnover of tenants and it was disappointed Saville Row was leaving.
“High-profile tenants – such as Friend of Franki, Australiana Design, Little Shop of Flowers, Steven Ter Horst, Mr Potato and Plant B Life – were attracted to the precinct during and following the upgrade, and we continue to work closely with the King William Road Traders Association, leasing agents and landlords to attract businesses to the transformed precinct.
“Council continues to listen to the community’s feedback and will continue to monitor, develop and implement measures to improve parking efficiencies and availability on-street, off-street and in nearby side streets.
“We look forward to the implementation of smart parking which will indicate available spaces.”