Sandwich de Witney owner criticises Witney High Street parking

Last year, West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) introduced measures to restrict the High Street to buses, cycles, taxis and disabled badge holders only, to allow social distancing on the pavements.

However, one business owner has called for those measures to be reversed.

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Henry Mo, owner of Sandwich de Witney, says the changes are having a detrimental impact on his business.

He said: “The problem is that the disabled parking and taxi ranks are empty, parking on the High Street is so empty now.

“If you want to drop off or pick up things like you used to be able to, you can’t do that anymore.

“Shops can’t load and unload, and so many people are getting tickets.

“For our suppliers dropping goods off, it’s a struggle to find a space to park or you have to risk getting a ticket, but the traffic wardens are so quick.

“We used to get a lot of builders and tradespeople who would come in for their lunch – they’d get a sandwich and use the half an hour parking to go shopping.

“Now they’re put off by the changes and we’re losing a lot of business.”

Henry Mo, owner of Sandwich de Witney, has criticised parking availability in Witney High Street. Picture: Ed Nix

Mr Mo said allowing a couple of spaces for loading would make a ‘huge difference’ to the High Street.

He said: “I see the council has this app [Love West Oxfordshire] to encourage shoppers but all this on the High Street goes against that.

“Even if two or three of the parking spaces were for loading, it would make a huge difference.

“At least then suppliers would be able to load, and people who want to drop off to the charity shops would be able to.”

A survey on the future of the High Street closed at the beginning of July.

A spokesperson for WODC said: “The layout changes to Witney High Street were put in place to enable social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic, to promote the safety of businesses and shoppers in the town.

“These have remained in place as a precaution against any further restrictions being put in place by Government in the event of an increase in Covid-19 infections.

“A consultation on the future of the High Street has been undertaken, which has solicited a large number of responses.

“These responses are currently being analysed and a report compiled, which will be considered by councillors.

“The council considers that any decision taken on Witney High Street must take into account all of the views of those that have taken the time to respond to the consultation and must be in the best interests of businesses and residents alike.”