BEACH BLOW
UK tourist hotspot ‘faces huge blow’ as seaside town hikes costs for visitors
Council officials sparked outrage after admitting they will only up charges in the most popular areas
A 'HUGE blow' is set to hit UK tourists in a beloved seaside town as the 'greedy' council hikes up prices.
Bustling hotspot Blackpool is packed with flocks of visitors each year - but new policies may see them taking their business elsewhere.
1
It can be testing enough trying to nab a parking spot on a busy summer day at the popular destination.
And now tourists will have to fork out even more to pay for their stay, whether they opt for street or multi-storey parking.
Local opposing councillor Diane Mitchell has blasted the "poor decision" over fears it will be harmful to business in the area.
"Businesses in the Bond Street and Waterloo Road area are already struggling with difficulties around parking," she told the BBC.
Read More
"This will only make the situation worse and drive business away from our brilliant local businesses, B&Bs and shops."
Prices are being hiked up in the Talbot Road and West Street multi-storey car parks, along the Promenade, and in parts of South Shore.
Blackpool Council claim they are using the extra funds to improve parking facilities.
The price of sought-after town centre parking is being increased to £4.50, with an eight hour stay costing an eye-watering £12.
Most read in UK News
Meanwhile, on the Promenade, Watson Road and Bond Street, visitors will have to spend £3 for two hours.
Council officials claimed they will only be upping charges in the most popular areas to keep up with demand.
And, a brand new multi-storey car park is due to be open to the public by Easter to accommodate more visitors.
A council report said more money would allow them to "upgrade" the existing parking facilities.
It read: "Any wide-scale increases at this point are more likely to result in a downturn in patronage and could harm town centre trading and tourism recovery plans."
A spokesperson for Blackpool Council told The Sun: “While tariff increases have been applied in some areas of high demand, our pricing remains extremely competitive compared with other large destinations.
"The increased income will be used to offset some of the significant investment that is being made in the upgrade of parking infrastructure across the resort.
“Blackpool prides itself on being an affordable destination offering great value to visitors with hospitality, attractions and accommodation to suit every pocket, and we continue to stage one of the UK’s biggest programme of free events and entertainment throughout the year.”
It comes as other seaside towns have suffered the same price increases.
Residents of Whitstable, Kent, have slammed proposed new parking charges as 'crazy'.
The controversial new plans could see hourly charges rise from £1.60 to £3.70.
This would make it the priciest part of the Kent coast for motorists looking to park up.
Meanwhile, locals in another popular seaside destination were fuming at a 300 per cent hike in parking fees.
Parking on the seafront in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, is to rise from £1.40 an hour to a whopping £5.60 an hour.
Residents have accused town hall bosses of “daylight robbery” and “shocking greed” in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
They say the rises are “abhorrent profiteering” that will leave disabled, elderly and less wealthy people unable to enjoy the resort.
Plus, homeowners living in a beautiful coastal town say it’s being ruined by ridiculous parking rules and loads of tourists.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
A Northumberland beach was named one of the best in the UK by The Times in 2022 but now parking charges have been proposed at the beauty spot.
Elsewhere, locals have claimed their village will become a ghost town thanks to their council's proposed parking rules.
Price increases
New Blackpool car parking charges
Town centre will rise from £3.50 to £4.50.
Long-stays are set to increase from £11 to £12.
Parking along Promenade, Watson Road and Bond Street is due to rise to £3 from £2.50.