A WINCHESTER choir has been losing members since new city centre parking charges were introduced in July. 

Winchester City Council recently watered down its controversial plans for evening and overnight parking in city centre car parks.

At the council decision day on Monday, October 9 a new volunteer permit and one-hour overnight tariff was agreed by Cabinet member for climate emergency Cllr Kelsie Learney.

Winchester Community Choir, based at the United Church in Jewry Street, said that the volunteer permits will be useful for those who set-up for concerts and rehearsals, but members still face an extra annual parking bill of more than £60.

READ MORE: City choir slams decision to introduce overnight parking charges

In July, parking on a Sunday for more than four hours has increased from £2.10 to £17. This is an increase of £14.90 or 709.5 per cent. 

Also, the previously free overnight period from 7pm to 8am now costs £3.30 for more than one hour.
Cllr Learney agreed a new tariff of one hour to cost £1.80.

Denis Gibson, the choir's membership secretary, said: “The volunteer parking permit is good news for the handful of people who help set up our choir rehearsals each week. And it must be a welcome concession for other charities that operate in the city centre.

"As for the majority of our choir members, they still face an extra annual parking bill of just over £60 to attend our rehearsals and concerts throughout the year. We’ve already lost members for whom this cost-of-living increase was the last straw.”

The choir launched a petition in July to fight the city centre parking increases. It was signed by 501 people from July 2 to September 24. 

SEE ALSO: 'Lack of effective consultation' - Councillor slams civic chiefs over parking charges

Winchester BID also welcomed the new permits but said the measures don't go far enough.

Paul Spencer, executive director, said: “Winchester BID is supportive of a new volunteer parking permit being introduced and we hope this will provide reassurance for charities which had expressed concerns about the impact of the new parking charges on their volunteers.

“We are also supportive of the one-hour tariff for overnight parking. Several businesses which had contacted the BID were concerned that without this, parking for an hour of less overnight would cost more than it does during the day. 

“Nevertheless, it should still also be noted that there are businesses which have expressed broader concerns about the potential impact of overnight charges on the night-time economy.”