Elgin business owner launches petition against reintroduction of parking charges on August 1

AN ELGIN business owner has launched a petition calling on Moray Council to delay the reintroduction of parking charges.

Richard Cumming claims the council has "shown almost contempt" for local businesses struggling to get back on their feet following the coronavirus lockdown.

And while Mr Cumming, who runs Sirology with business partner Linda Littlewood, says people understand the charges cannot be waived forever, he believes the timing of the move is thoughtless.

He hopes the petition will bring more pressure to bear on the council to change the decision

Council leader, Cllr Graham Leadbitter said he understands that the decision will not be "universally liked" but the authority is, like many organisations and businesses, in a difficult financial position.

Cllr Leadbitter said: “The council’s cross-party sounding board agreed that a pragmatic approach was to restart parking charges from August 1.

However, Tory leader on the council, Cllr Tim Eagle, has backed delaying the reintroduction of parking charges.

Read the full story in Friday's print edition of The Northern Scot.

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