The pretty UK market town visitors are abandoning because of 1 extra cost

Locals in a small town are fighting back against their county council after parking meters were installed on their high street. In 2022, Hampshire County Council installed the meters in Lymington, but locals say they have had a negative impact on businesses.

The meters allow only 20 minutes of free parking. After that, it is £1.50 for an hour and £3.10 for two hours, which is the maximum stay. Over 700 residents have signed a petitioncalling for the meters to be removed and the old system of one-hour free parking to be brought back.

It claims the meters discourage shoppers from stopping, burden locals with the cost, and damage the livelihood of small businesses. The petition asks the Tory-run county council to "work with local residents and businesses to develop a fair, community-led parking solution". On Monday, October 6, hundreds attended a high street protest against the meters, organised by Gary Saunders, owner of local business Crystals. They were joined by Liberal Democrat-run Lymington and Pennington Town Council councillors, including the mayor. Jack Davies, Lib Dem councillor for Pennington, told the Express: "Lymington is the only high street in the New Forest with parking meters. Hampshire County Council doesn't give a damn about us. They just want to use our town as a cash cow."

Locals added that "all of the shopkeepers want (the meters) removed", saying they are "slowly destroying our high street". Many, like Davies, feel the county council is using Lymington as a "cash cow", offering "very little in return".

Mayor and councillor Colm McCarthy told the Express that the town council supports local businesses' efforts to remove the meters. He claimed that, since Hampshire County Council installed them, they have had a detrimental negative impact on local businesses, which are reportedly now trading at 70%.

McCarthy said: "Local independent stores have closed and others are at breaking point due to the negative impact it has had on local businesses as well as the negative impact it has had on our tourism footfall, which is dependent on trade every year.

"It has affected employment as business owners have had to reduce their staffing levels to reduce their costs to "make ends meet" to keep their livelihoods and business alive.

"We hope that Hampshire County Council will reverse this decision and support our local trade and tourism, which we depend on. It's important that we get behind our local businesses and support our local economy, before it's too late."

The mayor said that the County Council has plans to install these parking meters in other towns throughout Hampshire, where they will "also have the same negative impact".

The Express has contacted Hampshire County Council for comment.