Free parking in Waterford City centre is not the answer to problems facing inner-city retailers.

It’s been revealed that Waterford City and County Council made over €2,000,000 in parking fees and fines last year.

Some businesses have called for the council to reduce or abandon parking charges in the city centre in an attempt to boost footfall around the heart of the city.

However, Eamon Barret, the owner of Altitude Sports in Ballybricken believes that is not the answer.

“I would be of the view that the city centre of the future does not exist because of the ability to park freely everywhere we want.

“I would think that would work counter to having a good customer experience in city centres.

“Of course we need the availability of parking but that’s always going to have to be paid for.

“If you provide free parking what you will encourage is long-term static parking, therefore there would be no flow of people able to travel through city centres.”

Eamon Barett says the possible introduction of a short period of free parking could help.

“Perhaps there would be a benefit to a short allowance, like 15 minutes free, which would give people the ability to drop, short and go again.

“I do think there could be a value to that but that’s quite difficult to manage, it may need new technology in the machines.

He added that “The problems facing the retail industry are much more complex than that and required a much more detailed thought process or solution.

“It’s not just going to be solved just by having free parking.”