The recent announcement of parking charges in Sudbury has ignited a wave of opinions, with some declaring this to be the end of our high street. The chatter on social media is loud, with many saying they’ll no longer come into town because of the fees.
But let’s pause for a moment and think about who this decision will affect the most. It’s not the council or the decision-makers who’ll feel the brunt—it’s the independent businesses who work tirelessly to make Sudbury the special place we all enjoy.
Our small businesses are more than just shops or cafés; they’re run by people who live in our community, send their kids to the local schools, support other businesses, and, yes, have feelings. They’re the ones who open early, stay late, and go the extra mile to ensure you feel welcome. They’re the reason Sudbury has its unique charm—something no retail park or online store can replicate.
These businesses contribute far more than goods and services; they create jobs, foster community, and give our town its soul. Every purchase you make with them keeps Sudbury’s economy alive.
Support Goes Beyond Words
It’s easy to post online about how much we “love to support our high street” But real support means showing up—and better still, thinking about whether it's really helpful if we shout on the socials that Sudbury has nothing worth visiting for and so the town will die. Imagine you've run a shop or business in the town, in an already challenging time, where you've got through Covid and a cost of living crisis, you're reading that people in the community where you live and work are shouting on social media that you're never visiting the town again, because there's nothing worth visiting. That's the adult equivalent of you high school teacher telling you that you won't amount to anything!
If we decide to stay away from town to avoid the charges, it’s the small businesses who’ll feel the impact most acutely. These are the same businesses that donate to our school raffles, sponsor local events, and keep our town buzzing. They are the same businesses that read time after time these sorts of comments.
This isn’t just about parking charges; it’s about the choices we make as a community. We have the power to decide what kind of town we want Sudbury to be. Let’s not let the cost of parking deter us from supporting the very businesses that make our town special.
Because at the end of the day, if we don’t show up for our high street, who will?
