No free Saturday parking in Kells

Kells Town Council cannot afford to allow free parking in the town on Saturday in a bid to boost business, was the message from Monday's night's meeting of the council. Councillors were sympathetic to a letter from representatives of traders in the town asking for a meeting to discuss the possibility of introducing free parking on Saturdays. However, while the councillors agreed they should meet with the traders and examine means of increasing business in Kells, most believed it wouldn't be financially viable for the council. The town clerk, Jarlath Flanagan, told councillors the annual revenue from paid parking in Kells on a Saturday averaged between €900 and €1,200. He said the council had budgeted for one free Saturday this year (in the run up to Christmas) and the estimated amount which would be lost by introducing free parking on Saturdays would amount to €53,500 which was equivalent to 8.8 per cent on the rates. The councillors had received a letter from representatives of traders in the town asking them to meet a small delegation to discuss Saturday parking. In it, the traders said they believed free parking on Saturdays would have long term benefits for the town. Cllr Bryan Reilly said that free parking in Kells in the run up to Christmas had literally saved business in the town. "It was hugely successful. Despite the cost involved it would be worth meeting the delegation to hear what they have to say." Cllr Tommy Grimes said they would have to look at the cost of such a move but he agreed they should meet the delegation. "The figures have been done up for the year. If it costs more than we can afford, there isn't a lot we can do, but it the loss is minimal, we would have to look at doing it. The week before Christmas was a great bonus for business in Kells," he said. Cllr Conor Ferguson agreed that they should meet with the traders. Cllr Sean Drew said they had drawn up a balanced budget in December and they needed facts and figures before they could consider this. He said they would have to look at what they would have to cut in order to introduce it, or they could consider a 'pay for one hour, get one hour free system.' Cllr Sarah Reilly welcomed the traders proposal and said "sometimes you have to speculate to accumulate. If we don't give something, we could have more business closures and less rates." Cllr Brian Collins said businesses were struggling but they didn't know to what extent the weather, last minute Christmas shopping, or free parking had caused the increase in trade before Christmas. He suggested running the free Saturday parking for a trial period to see what effect it would have. Cllr Brian Curran said that in the last four to five years, a lot of small local businesses had closed, but he didn't think paid parking was an issue. "People are going across the border and into bigger towns. The reason Christmas trade was better was because people couldn't travel. "Realistically if we are to pay our bills and provide services, we cannot do this," he said.