Additional reporting Finn Macdiarmid.
Businesses say it could be “very difficult to survive” after parking cost hikes.
Drivers now have to pay more to leave their car on and off-street in Medway with two-hour stays rising from £2.30 to £2.90 at Blue Boar Lane in Rochester.
The increases came into effect on Tuesday (April 8) as part of the council’s plans to balance its books for the 2025/26 financial year and plug a multi-million-pound hole in its budget.
But town centre traders have expressed concern over the impact it could have on staff and customers.
Paul Blakeborough, who runs Get Ready Comics in Rochester High Street, said: “People of the town want to come and visit their local high street – they want to shop, they want to support independent businesses, which Rochester is known for.
“As a team here, if we’re here for a day, we pay £15 to £18 parking ourselves, so any kind of parking increase, as well as all of the other increases, including rates, is a bit tough to swallow.
“Everyone’s costs are going up, it’s just unfortunate those costs are being passed on to the consumers, people visiting the high street, and the shops themselves.
“It makes it very, very difficult to survive in a market like this.”
But it is not just businesses struggling.
The Wisdom Hospice charity shop down the road says the parking increases are affecting volunteers being able to help out.
Manager Jacob Aldridge said: “They’re not able to afford to come down to help volunteer, which then leaves us short-staffed.
“Without them, we wouldn’t be able to run the shop itself.”
He added: “I keep track of what’s going on throughout each week, and the actual amount that we’re raising for the charity, compared to last year, has lowered, mainly because people aren’t able to afford the parking, and travel in general because of the cost-of-living crisis and things like that.”
Speaking previously to KentOnline, council leader Cllr Vince Maple (Lab) said: “These are difficult choices, not ones we take lightly, but I’ve got a responsibility to deliver a balanced budget and to deliver the very best services that we can within a financially responsible approach.”
As well as parking, leisure centre memberships have increased and council tax has been hiked by the maximum amount allowed without requiring a referendum – 4.99%.
The local authority had asked the government for another 5% on top without having to consult the public but the request was rejected.
A council spokesman said: “The financial pressure local authorities are under is no secret.
“Unfortunately, this means some difficult decisions had to be made when setting this year’s budget.”
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy (CIPFA) has been advising the council since 2023 on ways to get on a strong financial footing and officers say they are following the pathway set out.
The council had believed it would require £26.2 million in exceptional financial support (EFS) from the government to make up for the shortfall in the next financial year.
However, this figure has been revised and the authority now believes it needs £18.5m.
