Members of Local Choir Quitting over Increase in Parking Charges

A choir in Winchester has been losing members due to a dramatic rise in parking charges in the city.

In October Winchester City Council made amends to its plans for overnight parking in the city centre as a one-hour tariff was introduced.

New volunteer permits have also been bought in to help local charities, churches and groups.

Winchester Community Choir, based at United Church in Jewry Street, said: “The new permits will be useful for our committee members and those who help set up however, members of the choir that do not fall into this category face an extra £60 in parking charges a year.”

In July, the all-day parking Sunday charge was increased from £2.10 to £17 an increase of £14.90. 

Overnight parking in the city centre was free between 7pm and 8am but this period was increased to £3.30.

This £3.30 has now been reduced to £1.80 as agreed by Cllr Learney. 

Denis Gibson, the choir’s membership secretary, said: “We almost ran out of money 18 months ago and many of our members left, it doesn’t help us to recruit people if we have to say it costs 60% more to join choir than it did last year.”

When the parking charge increase was announced the council reported that this change would help Winchester’s climate change pledge, but members of the choir said:“Some of us now drive further to use the Park and Walk as it remains free overnight”.

Winchester BID are also in favour of these new permits and said: Wwe hope this will provide reassurance for charities.” However, they do not think that businesses have received enough support and said: “There are concerns about the potential impact of overnight charges on the night-time economy.”