Email from the owner of Townsend Place

May I first of all say how impressed I am with your website. The only point I would add to it is that there is still quite a lot of free on street parking on the left hand side going up Summerhill away from the Cross.

My name is Charles Kenchington. I am Managing Director of Kenchington Limited who own Townsend Place Precinct since I developed it for the family in 1964. My Father was a well loved local doctor and we decided to build ourselves rather than sell out to London developers. So we have a very strong connection with Kingswinford and have always tried to maintain high standards.

Our parking problems started when the Council introduced Pay & Display and charges have risen steadily. The result being that ours, as the only free car park, gradually became congested and used by people not shopping on the precinct - often more than a third when we carried out surveys, and sometimes up to 50%. Eventually, as the Council increased its charges to a minimum of 70p, the position became intolerable and we had complaints that regular shoppers could not find a space. We have been discussing this problem off and on with Townsend Place Tenants Association for several years and gave an undertaking that we would not introduce any system without full consultation. First of all we tried to restrict parking to our shoppers only but that did not work; then a free period of 2 hours but that did not ease the situation either.

Our Tenants pay for the upkeep of the car park through an annual Service Charge and re-surfacing/lining is very expensive. So the question boiled down to why they should pay these outgoings when other shops nearby who have not provided any parking at all are getting a free ride. So, in full consultation, it was eventually decided to introduce Pay & Display at only 30p an hour with a maximum of 3 hours. The revenue is to go towards repairing, maintaing and promoting the precinct and reducing outgoings, so our Tenants will benefit directly. We hope also to have enough to support local causes and charities - Dudley-Kingswinford Rugby Club being one example. The revenue will also enable CCTV to be provided in an attempt to combat the rising tide of mindless vandalism which has recently been a constant nightmare.

Whilst I appreciate that many mourn the loss of this free facility, it is often a generation matter and it has taken me some time to realise that an assured space is worth a quarter (1 hour) or half (2 hours) of a cup of coffee in the nice up-market Coffee Shop that will be opening shortly. Some on your website mention that they will be forced to go to Merry Hill; however, I understand that charging is to be introduced there at some point in the future. The actual cost in fuel of a round trip at 40p a mile cannot be worth it whilst contributing to global warming and congestion at the same time!!!

I hope this adequately explains the problem we were faced with and how we were forced to confront it. If any of your correspondents have any better ideas please ask them to respond.