A growing chorus of local businesses is speaking out against North Somerset Council’s proposed parking charges in Clevedon. The council’s plans to introduce fees in key areas like Hill Road have sparked concern that the added costs could severely impact small business viability.
Council leader Mike Bell defends the measures, citing financial pressure: “We cannot justify subsidising parking when we are forced to cut care services for vulnerable adults and children.” However, this financial reasoning has done little to ease the worries of shop owners and residents.
Last week, a petition signed by over 4,300 people was presented at a full council meeting, urging policymakers to reconsider the parking fees. Business owner Jane Brake, who runs the clothing boutique Pale Blue, warned, “We’ve seen what happened with the ‘wiggly lines’ on Clevedon seafront — it disrupted footfall significantly. We can’t afford another Clevedon disaster. This could be the final straw for many small businesses.”
Discover Clevedon, a local business association, echoed these concerns: “Businesses around Hill Road and the wider retail area are very worried about the impact on trade. We’ve heard from traders in Nailsea where parking charges caused footfall to drop by up to 40%. The combined effect of on-street and car park charges in Clevedon could damage the entire town.”
Nailsea traders have already experienced firsthand the consequences of such policies. Ed Hearn, owner of Maynews, reported a 10% year-on-year drop in trade since parking fees were introduced. Similarly, James Steel of Quality Collectibles announced he will leave the Nailsea Precinct in June 2026 after seeing a 30-40% fall in sales. “It was an overnight impact. Conversations with other traders reveal similar stories. We aren’t the only ones planning to leave,” he explained.
The campaign against the parking charges has even gained notable support. Mark Millar from the BBC’s DIY SOS expressed his fears that Clevedon could become a “ghost town” if the plans proceed: “It’s a beautiful, thriving town with vibrant independent shops that rely on community support. Parking charges kill small businesses because they operate on such tight margins — even a slight drop in customers can force closures.”
Clevedon Town Council has formally opposed the proposed Traffic Restriction Order. A spokesperson said, “Discussions with North Somerset Council are ongoing, but we stand against these parking charges.”
As the debate continues, the fate of Clevedon’s business community hangs in the balance, caught between budget constraints and the need to protect the town’s economic and social fabric.