870 join parking fight; PLEASE HELP OUR SHOPPERS STOP.

Byline: By SAMANTHA NANDA 

SHOPKEEPERS who fear their businesses will be forced to close due to a lack of parking for customers have collected a petition with 870 signatures.

The petition, which is to be handed to the city council, is demanding action to improve parking in the Hipswell Highway area of Wyken.

Two of the shops in the row, near the busy highway's junction with Longfellow Road, have already shut down and other traders fear they will be next.

Stephanos Ermogenous, 35, who has run the Hipswell Fish Saloon for three years, said he is worried about the loss of business.

Mr Ermogenous said: "We know lots of people who want to buy from us but when they get here there is no parking so they leave.

"It causes a lot of problems and we can see our businesses going down.

"We have bollards here which we appreciate are for safety, but we need to have more parking to help us and customers.

"We're even prepared to give up part of the land in front of our shops to create more room to park."

Irene Lingen, 72, who has worked in her daughter's shop Spires bread and cake shop for over 12 years, said the lack of parking worried her.

Mrs Lingen said: "We need car parking and more access here.

"It is difficult even to get deliveries because of the lack of access and there is nowhere for staff to park.

"Even the pavements here are cracked and in terrible condition."

Cllr Jack Harrison (Lab, Lower Stoke), who has come up with plans to create more parking spaces, said the petition reflected the strength of feeling in the area.

Mr Harrison said: "This area has been neglected while money is being spent in the city centre. We must balance having a nice city centre with thriving district shopping centres."

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CAPTION(S):

D21709_1. PROTESTING: Cllr Harrison (right) with the petition and (from left) Stephanos Ermogenous, Irene Lingen, Umang Patel, Mehmet Tosun and Christalla Ermogenous. Picture: RICHARD NELMES