A car parking strategy is being discussed where tourists will pay more for their spaces at popular destination — but businesses fear the move will be ‘detrimental’ to them and stop tourists from visiting
Plans to introduce a ‘tourist tax’ on parking in upscale holiday destinations have sparked worry among local businesses, fearing the policy could be ‘detrimental’.
A contentious proposal is on the table to charge tourists more for parking in South Hams, stirring debate.
Business owners are concerned that the proposed higher parking fees might deter visitors from flocking to Devon’s towns, including the chic coastal town of Salcombe, often referred to as ‘Chelsea-on-Sea’.
The council is considering raising charges in its car parks for the first time in four years due to the escalating costs of service delivery it can no longer cover.
Currently, a full day at Salcombe Creek car park is priced at £6.50, but under the new scheme, visitors would pay £10 while locals would pay £8. However, residents could apply for a discount, effectively paying far less than tourists for the same parking space, reports Devon Live.
Jude Macintosh, manager of The Ship In Dock Inn, described parking in Salcombe and Dartmouth as a “constant headache” and expressed concern that increasing prices will not entice guests to visit and stay.
She commented: “Dartmouth and Salcombe is particularly challenging on parking and yes it does have a knock-on effect with people coming.”
A local entrepreneur from Salcombe has aired frustrations over parking tariffs, perplexed that residents receive a discounted rate. “I don’t know why residents get it cheaper. I would like to know that because as far as I know you should pay exactly the same as what visitors pay in Mayor’s Avenue.”
Their business has taken a hit due to parking issues, with the proprietor stating: “Our bookings have gone down by a third because now we don’t provide permits. We took it away because we can’t afford to carry that cost. The councils are just trying to keep people away because they are not doing anything – as in parking – to entice them.
“People travel to us because they are a lot more mature than young people to hop on a bus and travelling in that it doesn’t entice them.”
The 64-year-old owner described Salcombe’s parking situation as “awful issue and the plans will ” and believes the current plans will “most definitely” deter visitors. He remarked: “Everybody packs down here to rent holiday homes but things change. Right now it is extremely quiet.
“Wouldn’t it be lovely if people could park without adding an extra expense? Parking is something that has not helped the local community.”
Over in Dartmouth, Wendy Jones, who runs a launderette, shared that the new pricing strategy will harm local commerce. She stressed: “It is very detrimental to Dartmouth. Parking is quite expensive as it is. It will damage the businesses.
“People tend not to use park and ride because it is quite expensive too. I think if they made it cheaper people would utilise it more.
“It is just an easy way to make money and we will all suffer with this. We are slightly different from your average tourist shop but we get loads of campers.”
Totnes, another area under the spotlight, has local business owners like 81-year-old Roger Savin of The Little Elbow Room expressing concerns. He remarked: “I find that very difficult for them [council] to police that. How are they going to know if the car is not local. It can have a car plate from London but the person being from here.”
Another Totnes trader voiced their potential irritation, saying they would be “very frustrated” if they were a visitor facing hiked parking fees. For this business owner, tourists represent the “bread and butter money” that keeps their enterprise afloat year-round.
They commented: “If parking is raised in an amount which is unreasonable I am afraid that people might not buy from the High Street. I think that the footfall decreases because of the lack of spaces and the pricing.”
A council spokesperson revealed that with some reluctance, they are “regretfully considering” hiking parking charges from April 1, 2025. They explained: “We checked car parks in similar locations across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset to compare our current charges and our proposed new charges.
“Following this review of charges across the South West, it is clear that car parking charges in the South Hams are lower than most.
“Residents of the South Hams would be able to apply for membership of a new Resident Discounts Scheme. This will allow them to access lower parking charges at all our council-owned car parks via the cashless parking app. Those who don’t have a smartphone will receive an extra half hour parking time instead.”
