Bradford's Fish Dish owner slams evening parking charges

Ziahad Amin, of Fish Dish on James Street, argued the £1 charge has put customers off entering the area late on.

But Bradford Council says there is "no evidence" that the fee deters people from visiting the city centre.

Mr Amin says it is damaging trade in the city centre (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Amin said: "Before Covid it was free but now you have to pay after 6pm to stay until midnight.

"It has not made customers happy. The area is so dead and quiet now in the evenings.

"Trade used to be a lot busier but the parking charges just put people off.

"These charges do not encourage people to come into Bradford on an evening and visit the businesses.

"It is James Street and Darley Street that are impacted the most.

"I am not sure why it is not free. We need to get businesses going again."

In a recent meeting, the Council said it estimates an income of £90,000 from both pay and display and penalty charge notices across the district.

It also said top-of-town improvements, along with other major projects, are expected to boost footfall soon.

The Council says there is no evidence to say that the fee deters people from visiting the city centre (Image: Newsquest)

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “Evening parking charges are common in many cities and local charges are broadly in line with those across the region.

"There is no evidence that paying £1 to park deters people from visiting city centres.

“There are a number of powerful factors impacting the wider UK economy but we are working hard to boost local growth with a broad range of bold and ambitious projects.

“Major projects such as Bradford Live, Darley Street Market, the Top of Town improvements and One City Park will increase footfall and transform Bradford city centre while we are working alongside our partners to ensure City of Culture delivers its full potential with over a million visitors to the district expected.

“We will continue to do everything we can to support local business, grow the economy and manage our city and town centres so they can deliver broad benefits for all.”

The Council said they estimate an income of £90,000 from both pay and display and penalty charge notices across the district (Image: Newsquest)

The cost of living crisis is having an impact on many businesses in the Bradford district, but Mr Amin said having a delivery service has helped amid more people working from home. 

"We are in the same boat as all the other chippies in the city but we are lucky that the customers are still coming," he added.