Daniel Adams, a devoted shopkeeper in Clevedon, has been deeply moved by the overwhelming community support he has received after losing a High Court battle against North Somerset Council’s new parking charges. Despite facing a diagnosis of stage three bowel cancer and undergoing his seventh round of chemotherapy, Mr Adams took a stand against the recently introduced fees, which sparked significant local controversy.
Running Stationery House, a well-known local business, Mr Adams challenged the council’s decision, citing procedural errors in their consultation process. Although the court acknowledged flaws in the council’s consultation-specifically the failure to consider some objections and the dissemination of an incorrect reference number-the judge ultimately ruled that the parking charges would remain in place. As a consequence, Mr Adams was ordered to pay 90% of the council’s legal costs, including an interim payment of £15,000 due by 26 August.
In response, the Clevedon community has come together to support Mr Adams through a fundraiser launched by his wife, Kelly Adams. The campaign has so far raised over £10,000 from more than 500 individual contributions, with donors giving an average of just under £20 each. Mr Adams expressed his gratitude, saying, “I thought we might be lucky to get maybe £5,000, which would help. For it to have gone as far as it has done just shows the strength of community support in Clevedon, which is just amazing.”
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Kelly Adams shared the personal challenges the family faces, highlighting their young child and the financial strain compounded by the rising cost of living. She emphasised that Daniel’s fight against the parking charges was motivated solely by his commitment to their community and local businesses, not for personal gain. “Dan has fought stage three cancer during this time, with an urgent major life-saving operation and a year of chemotherapy. He completed all his research during that time and never once thought of himself and how he felt.”
Representing himself in the June hearing at Bristol’s High Court, Mr Adams demonstrated his dedication despite significant personal adversity. While the court did not overturn the parking charge policy, Mrs Justice Steyn DBE granted a 10% reduction on the council’s legal costs due to the procedural errors proven by Mr Adams.
The controversial parking charges were introduced following a North Somerset Council cabinet vote in 2024 aimed at balancing budgets and protecting essential public services. However, the policy has faced ongoing legal challenges and community opposition, including a successful pushback against on-street charges in Clevedon’s Hill Road area.
North Somerset Council leader Mike Bell criticised the legal disputes, calling the use of public funds in court “a scandalous waste of public money.” Despite the legal outcome, Mr Adams’s case has clearly resonated with many in the community, exemplified by the generous financial support in his time of need.
The fundraising campaign remains open for those wishing to contribute to Mr Adams’s legal costs and support his family during this difficult period.