While North Tyneside Council maintains that parking arrangements are carefully considered, calls for a “holistic” solution continue
Children of the Revolution on Front Street Tynemouth which has closed down.(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Tynemouth is in need of a “holistic” parking solution in the light of a closure of a Front Street business, says councillor.
Independent Tynemouth-based children’s clothes shop, Children of the Revolution announced its closure late last year citing competition with Amazon, rising costs, and local parking issues. A notice outside the shop read: “The growing number of resident only and ‘two-hour no return’ parking zones introduced by North Tyneside Council is making it extremely challenging for village stage and the visitors to our businesses to find adequate parking.”
When approached in the Chronicle’s original report, North Tyneside Council stated that new or amended parking is considered carefully and the impacts are continually assessed. The authority went on to say it remains open to businesses and residents to manage congestion safely.
Conservative Tynemouth councillor Lewis Bartoli told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he was “sympathetic” to the shop and a thorough re-examination of Tynemouth’s parking situation is required.
Coun Bartoli said: Bartoli quote in full: “I am sympathetic, there is a difficult balance between residents and businesses in the village, both rely on each other.
“It’s a symbiotic relationship and the council has tinkered around the edges with the parking for years. There needs to be a holistic look at parking in Tynemouth, with perhaps a better balance.
“I think that several years ago the business got together and suggested parking disks, like in Northumberland, and that was rejected. That was possibly a good solution, it would have allowed people to come in and not park in residential streets.
“I think that would have been a good option. There needs to be a holistic look at Tynemouth but what that looks like probably everyone’s view will differ”
Coun Bartoli continued: “What you don’t want is people who work in the village parking all day in residential streets, that’s not good for the residents or the businesses.”
The council’s full original statement said: “We are sorry to hear of the closure of the Children of the Revolution shop in Tynemouth. Tynemouth village is a very busy destination, particularly during weekends and school holidays, and we understand the parking challenges this can create for businesses and residents.
It continued: “We recognise that no single solution works for everyone, and we continue to assess the impact of parking measures as an ongoing process. The Council remains open to engaging with businesses and residents to understand their experiences and identify potential improvements.”
Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community
Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone.
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press ‘join community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN