Traders prepare to fight to save high street (From Times Series)

North Finchley traders prepare to fight to save high street

9:14pm Monday 15th October 2012 in News By Natalie O'Neill

Traders called for a change to Barnet’s parking system in a desperate bid to save their high street tonight.

Approximately 30 people attended a meeting at The Bohemia in High Road, North Finchley, to voice their concerns about cashless parking which they say is driving customers away from the area.

Business owners say trade has fallen approximately 40 per cent since Barnet Council removed parking meters and replaced them with the pay-by-phone system.

Drivers can also purchase scratch cards to pay for parking, but traders say this scheme has not been publicised widely enough.

Helen Michael, owner of Cafe Buzz, said: “We all need to stick together. This is our High Road, it’s our businesses. If we want to survive we have to fight.”

In a group vote, traders decided to lobby the council to bring back pay-by-coin meters and scrap scratch cards as well as introduce a half an hour free parking scheme and a cap on parking charges.