The Isle of Wight Council is proposing to lengthen the period over which car parking charges apply on Shanklin Esplanade, untl 8pm.

We believe that this will have an extremely negative impact on the commercial success of Shanklin seafront, something which cannot be in the Council’s interests, given the level of business rates and licensing fees paid by the various businesses on the Esplanade.

Shanklin, and the Island, need tourism and the infrastructure (builders, plumbers, electricians, commercial services etc.) that is required to support the hotels, guest houses, bars and restaurants that serve the holidaymakers who visit here.

Lengthening parking charges throughout the evening sends out a negative message to tourists and can only result in fewer diners visiting the seafront and/or extending their stay. Since few of the businesses on the Esplanade have their own parking, leaving visitors with no choice but to pay or go inland, this puts our establishments at a clear disadvantage. 

At a time when many of us along Shanklin Esplanade have invested heavily to improve the seaside experience for locals and tourists alike, the Council’s move seems a step that is backward and without long-term planning.

We urge the Council to re-consider.