Councillor claims residents boycotting Castle Towers over paid parking

LOCALS are “boycotting Castle Towers” while restaurant owners witness significant declines in patronage after paid parking systems were installed in August.

Patronage has dropped since paid parking went in at Castle Towers. Picture: Craig Wilson

LOCALS are “boycotting Castle Towers” while restaurant owners witness significant declines in patronage after paid parking systems were installed in August.

In a council meeting on Tuesday last week, councillor Raymond Harty raised concerns of restaurant owners who say they are considering abandoning the centre due to a 10 to 15 per cent drop in traffic and profit since August.

“Already restaurant owners are saying they are not going to renew their lease, the Coffee Club is shut down, while several other restaurants are holding off negotiating with QIC as well,” Cr Harty said.

“What is happening is leaving a very detrimental effect on restaurant owners, people are boycotting the Towers because of this system.”

Management say less than 10 per cent of customers pay for parking. Picture: Craig Wilson

Cr Harty also called for centre management to reveal stage three plans for the Towers and support retailers during redevelopment.

“Is this all designed to shut these restaurants out and allow Towers to shut down the Piazza?” Cr Harty said.

“The other scenario is that (QIC) have now got a massive increase in retail square metres available and they are unable to fill it.”

One restaurant owner, who did not wish to be named, said a traffic report revealed a 10 per cent drop for customers accessing the Piazza.

“You can feel it — we all can,” the owner said. “It is only going to get worse when the redevelopment begins, because they will take away 700 car spaces early next year.

“We have seen a 10 per cent decline in profit on last year, and that is not just us.

“I am not looking at resigning because they want a five-year contract, but we are seeing a decline in patronage so I can’t justify it.

AUSTRALIA’S LAST LOCALLY BUILT CAR FINISHED

Castle Towers centre manager Martin Ollis said the main objective of managed parking was to make it easier for customers to connect with retailers.

“Parking remains free for the first three hours and for entry after 6pm, with an additional free hour for cinema patrons on validation,” Mr Ollis said.

“Independent research shows that less than 10 per cent of customers pay for parking at Castle Towers.

“We work closely with our retailers to ensure Castle Towers remains a much-loved gathering place for our community.”