Fears coastal town's new parking charges could put visitors off

Business owners say they fear new on-street parking charges on a popular coastal town's promenade could deter customers and visitors.

Aberystwyth's promenade previously had no parking restrictions but from 18 May drivers must pay £3.50 for two hours or £5 for four hours, between 08:00 BST and 20:00.

However, Ceredigion council said there was a delay in introducing the change and it hoped to resolve the issue by Tuesday.

It said the charges would manage the "very high demand for seafront parking more fairly" while attracting more tourists, adding that the fees were not intended to make money.

Councillor Gareth Davies said surveys in other towns had found that introducing parking fees did not have a negative effect on businesses and tourists.

But Keith Wenham said parking in Aberystwyth "can be quite stressful".

"If you have to pay by app or phone, it takes more time.

"For older people, it's difficult and quite stressful, to be honest."

He said he was going to take a picture of the machine not working so he had evidence in case he got a ticket.

"A lot of councils are making it more difficult for people to get around and spend their money in places like this, which is a real shame as it's such a beautiful place," he added.

The council said a small number of machines had been affected by software problems which it was trying to resolve.

Parking charges on Aberystwyth promenade have been discussed within the council for many years.

Proposals for the current scheme were made in 2023 with councillors approving the charges in January 2026.

Davies, Ceredigion council's cabinet member for finance, said he hoped the changes would lead to more availability of parking spaces.

"In parts of the prom, people have been allowed to park all day every day [for free].

"Some people parked there for days on end. What that means is that those parking spaces are not then available for the general public who want to spend a couple of hours in town."

Davies said the purpose was not to raise revenue but rather "to encourage people into the town - tourists especially - so that they know there will be a parking space for them".

He said the revenue raised would help to fund council services and maintain existing car parks.

A report to councillors in September 2024 said similar schemes had been used in other coastal towns for many years.

At that time, on-street parking fees in Llandudno and Colwyn Bay were £5.50 for four hours, and £4 for four hours in Rhyl.

But business owners said they were worried about the impact the charges could have on customers, visitors and staff.

Nia Roberts, who owns two businesses in Aberystwyth, said regular customers had told her the new fees could affect how often they visit her restaurant on the promenade.

"I think it'll have a negative effect," she said.

"The customers we get in the mornings are local regulars who come in - some every day - for their morning coffee. It's a lifeline for a lot of these older people.

"They've already indicated to me that parking fees of £3.50 on top of their coffee every day will not be something that they can afford to do on the pensions they're on."

Roberts said her staff members who lived outside the town would also be affected, especially the ones who work late shifts and may have to leave their cars further away to get a free parking space.

"[It] means them walking back to their cars at 22:30 or 23:00 at night. That becomes a safety issue, especially for a lot of my younger staff. It's not something I'm comfortable with."

Gwesty Cymru is a hotel on the seafront which does not have its own car park.

Owner Gareth Evans said he thought the new fees would have an impact on bookings.

"We let our guests know when they're booking there is on-street parking all along the streets around us.

"[Now we are] having to introduce that extra charge straight off the bat - and that's if they can get a space.

"These spaces are only up to a maximum of four hours, so they're not applicable for [guests] anyway because they're going to be here overnight. It's another reason to get people out of the town centre."

There were mixed views among people who spoke to the BBC in Aberystwyth.

Some were broadly in favour, saying the town had been lucky to have free parking on the prom until now. But more had concerns about the fees.

"We're in crisis at the moment - shops are closing, the rates are high," said Lynn Phillips from Bow Street near Aberystwyth.

"The parking is very expensive - you put that out of a monthly wage, it's a lot for staff who work in town."

Alison Warren, who was visiting Aberystwyth for the day from Bournemouth, said she thought the new parking fees were unfair to local businesses.

"People are going to have to pay again to come and see the seafront and maybe use a coffee shop or something like that. And for the locals, it's sad."

Janek, from St David's in Pembrokeshire, said he felt the charges would not be a big issue for tourists, but he added: "I think it's going to impact the community of Aberystwyth.

"If you want to pop to town to have a coffee now it's going to cost potentially £10."

The business owners said they would have preferred a compromise with the council, by keeping free parking on the prom but with time-limited spaces.

In response, Davies said there were a number of other free parking spaces in the town, provided by the public and private sectors, for up to three hours.

The new charges apply on Victoria Terrace, Marine Terrace and New Promenade.

The fees can be paid at pay-and-display machines or by mobile phone, but Blue Badge holders can park free of charge provided a valid badge is displayed.

Additional reporting by Mari Grug