Businesses in North Berwick are “shocked and devastated” at the decision by East Lothian Council to introduce parking charges in the town.

North Berwick Business Association, which is vehemently against the introduction of the charges, now fears for the future of the family-run shops that populate the town centre.

It has now confirmed it will fight the council’s decision through “all available channels”.

The proposal – the biggest shake-up in town centre parking for decades – was given the green light at East Lothian Council’s meeting last week.

READ MORE: North Berwick parking charges: concessions for churchgoers and golfers

On-street parking charges – varying from 50p to £1 per 30-minute period – from 8.30am to 6pm, seven days a week, all-year-round will be introduced at controlled parking zones (CPZs) throughout the town.

The scheme is predicted to generate annual income of nearly £1.2m for cash-strapped East Lothian Council – but cost £105,000 a year to run and have capital costs of £450,000, including the installation of ticket machines, new signing and lining, IT systems, offices and the hiring of two parking attendants.

Some changes were made to the original proposals to “mitigate concerns” following the consultation. These include extending the planned initial free parking period on High Street from 30 minutes to 45 minutes and the removal of designated residents’ parking zones by integrating them with charged zones – thereby increasing the number of spaces for residents from 546 to 923. But residents in designated streets would still be charged £40 for annual parking permits.

The approval of the plans was met by strong opposition by the council’s Conservative Group, along with businesses and North Berwick Community Council.

Susan Oliver, co-chair of North Berwick Business Association (NBBA), said: “The retail businesses on High Street are shocked and devastated by East Lothian Council’s decision to pass the introduction of parking fees and the removal of all parking to the east end of High Street.

“NBBA have had consultations and discussions with the council over many months and the council have totally ignored all evidence of the detrimental effect this will have.

“Who in 45 minutes has enough time to queue at the Post Office, chemist and butcher, let alone get a hair cut, a coffee or buy a birthday present?

“Up and down the country, where parking charges have been introduced in small towns, businesses in the town centre have failed, leading to empty shops, unemployment and social problems. We cannot understand where East Lothian Council get their evidence of successful schemes from, as all we can find is proof that introduction of parking charges kills a small town centre.

“Many retailers are still recovering from the pandemic and paying off debt as a result. The rates fiasco, increased wages, unstable energy costs and cost-of-living impact creates a perfect storm for business closures. North Berwick Business Association will fight East Lothian Council through all available channels.”