10 March 2023
The British Independent Retailers Association has said that private parking firms in retail towns and city centers are 'greedy' and harming trade.
Bira, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has made the announcement following the news that private parking is set to become a billion-pound-a-year industry as the number of tickets issued by firms hits an all-time high.
Data released by the DVLA suggests drivers are set to receive more than 11 million penalties in private car parks this financial year, 2022-23.
Already, in the first three quarters of the year, 8,564,762 vehicle keeper records have been bought by the companies from the DVLA. This figure is a proxy for the number of tickets issued as it allows the firms to chase up vehicle keepers for supposed parking infringements on private land. Each ticket can be for up to £100 suggesting more than £1 billion will be demanded from drivers this year.
But Bira has called these firms 'greedy' and a huge deterrent to people wanting to park in city and town centers to do their shop.
Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre said: "This figure released by the DVLA is phenomenal and just goes to show that being a private parking firm is a very lucrative business. But this greed by the many firms we now see popping up throughout the country has a counter-productive outcome as it drives people out of the center and to either shop online or to out-of-town shops which more often than not are not owned and run by independent traders.
"We need our businesses to be supported and nurtured if the high street is to survive, not have another barrier to them being able to thrive in such a difficult economy," he said
***NOTE: BIRA CEO Andrew Goodacre is available for comment on March 15 for the Spring Budget ***
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To arrange an interview with Bira's CEO please get in touch with Claire Fry at claire.fry@bira.co.uk or call 079 7741 4476.
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About Bira
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes, and it’s our goal to make every member feel supported, informed, and inspired. We’re here to offer help independent retail businesses didn’t even know they needed.
By joining Bira members receive access to a wealth of business benefits, from free legal advice to preferential card rates, business banking to specialist insurance, and tax accountants to music. There’s strength in numbers, so we are also able to offer exclusive rates and discounts that we negotiate on behalf of our members with over 180 suppliers representing approximately 2000 associated brands across a range of retail.
We also make sure our members are represented at all levels, getting the voice of independent retail heard at the top.
About Andrew Goodacre:
Andrew Goodacre has been the CEO of Bira since 2018 and is passionate about working with the high street and supporting small businesses.
Mr. Goodacre has a strong background in retail and hospitality, and since taking up the role, has been integral in pushing forward independent retailers and showcasing the importance of them being at the very heart of every good high street throughout the UK and a vital part of life and the economy within local communities.
He started his career in hospitality, spending 25 years working in the retail divisions of national breweries and pub companies.
Andrew was also formerly a member of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) before becoming the CEO of the Residential Landlords Association in 2013.​
About Jeff Moody:
Jeff has worked in the retail sector fo 25 years and is passionate about SMEs and their role within the community and the UK. He is the commercial director of BIRA direct and chairs the BRC Payments Advisory Group and plays an active role in championing the SME sector in the retail payments area to promote awareness and adoption of the new payments landscape.