Tameside Council (TMBC) has been ridiculed for accepting a business prize after making a U-turn on car parking charges.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) gave its Business Buddy Award to the council on Wednesday September 3, praising it for introducing two hours of free parking across the borough’s car parks this summer and the subsequent ‘significant’ upturn in footfall.
However, the scheme came in 18 months after TMBC caused uproar among shoppers and business owners by scrapping free parking.
“Why businesses are now congratulating them and helping them change the narrative after being shafted is absolutely disgusting,” Hyde Werneth councillor Phil Chadwick, TMBC’s shadow member for towns and communities, told Six57.
“I’ve consistently challenged the council’s narrative around parking policy, and yesterday’s announcement only reinforces why scrutiny matters.
“Back in June, I made two things clear: the council doesn’t deserve congratulations, it owes an apology.
“The 350% hike in 2023 damaged our town centres and hurt local businesses. Free parking isn’t generosity, it’s damage control.
“The U-turn was forced by public pressure, not proactive leadership. Residents, traders, and local Conservatives fought for this.
“The policy reversal is a win for the community, not a triumph for the council.
“Now, the council is celebrating an FSB Business Buddy Award, claiming footfall is up and traders are busier.”
“That may be true, but it’s also proof of how harmful the original policy was.
“The fact that reversing it had such an impact only confirms the scale of the damage.
“This award doesn’t erase the past. It doesn’t excuse the years of avoidable harm. And it certainly doesn’t justify the council’s attempt to rewrite history with PR gloss and photo ops.”
It is the first time the FSB has handed out the award since 2018, saying it is reserved for ‘individuals, firms or public bodies that have gone the extra mile’.
Robert Downes, the FSB’s business development manager for Greater Manchester, added: “We very rarely issue our Business Buddy Award, but this was a no brainer when we heard what Tameside Council were doing for their high street businesses right across the borough. This will be a lifeline for many of them.
“At a time when our high streets are really struggling, it’s fantastic to see a Greater Manchester council stepping up and doing exactly what’s needed for small businesses in this way.
“I have absolutely no doubt this type of support, which as an organisation FSB has long called for, will help save many of the businesses struggling to stay afloat during one of the toughest economic climates we’ve ever seen in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.
“Early indications are the free parking offer has seen footfall rise by over a third since it was introduced, and more people in town centres means more money ringing through the tills.”
