We have praise for the council today. But also some serious criticism.
First, the good bits. The Square and parts of the town are really looking Christmassy this year. Princess Way after dark really gets into the mood with the decorations in the windows of the former BHS store.
But we came perilously close to writing an item today to advise people NOT to drive to Camberley to shop. The council’s management of Main Square car park has been utterly incompetent. The context, of course, is that this is the busiest time of the year for both shoppers and retailers. So to have half the car park and two of the three entrances out of action yesterday was ridiculous. But the straw that broke the camel’s back was the fact that when drivers wound their way up through the building, expecting to be able to park on the top floor, they found that it was completely closed. Drivers had to wind their way back down again. We imagine that quite a few were unable to park having spent quite a while going no-where.
Now there may be operational reasons why this chaos happened when it happened. But WE CHALLENGE THE COUNCIL TO SAY WHY THERE WERE NO WARNING NOTICES ABOUT THE CLOSED TOP FLOOR AT THE ENTRANCE.
The council did write on Facebook “Our thanks to all our customers for their patience as we tried to complete refurbishment works to the car park. Our apologies for any inconvenience” But that was rubbing salt into the wound. Those drivers to whom we spoke had more than exhausted their patience. And the mealy-mouthed ‘any inconvenience’ when drivers had been extremely inconvenienced just shows that the council was completely out of touch with the frustration that it was causing. Retailers ought to take the council to task for giving shoppers such a bad experience – one which was so contrary to the council’s fine words.
It’s actually impacting businesses now as customers are so fed up with nowhere to park that they are going to Guildford instead. Will we see a reduction of the business rates though. No chance.
Technically, the council doesn’t set business rates – that’s central government’s job. It does set rent for those properties that it owns. Hence House of Fraser now has a reduced rent…
Still a complete joke though. Will be writing to the council about this.
Do keep me informed of the response – if you get one!
Is there any accountability at Knoll Rd for these all too regular parking related farces?
There again these parking **** ups probably pale in comparison to the councils bonkers £90M purchase of its town centre?…..But surely this investment is good enough reason, one would have thought for the so called SHBC execs to manage the parking properly?
Incompetence! But good news for Guildford Farnborough Woking Bracknell and online.
An organisation’s culture comes from the top. And I believe the very top of the council isn’t accountable to anyone.
That is really really bad, i trust the motorist didn’t have to pay to get out while trying to find a place. Well done SCC how not to make Camberley attractive, i will not be there this year for sure I’m off to Guilford you have made my mind up, losers.
I’m fairly sure that the exit barrier was raised as drivers approached it.