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Cafe owner 'over the moon' after parking U-turn

Friday, 5 December 2025 at 10:46

By Gareth Joy X @lookoutwales2

The owners of a Penarth cafe have welcomed a U-turn on controversial parking charges on the Vale's coastline.

Councillors voted on Thursday to suspend fees at three car parks - including the Cold Knap and Bryn-y-Mor in Barry - until Spring next year.

The parking charges were introduced last September despite widespread opposition and concern about the impact on local businesses.

One cabinet member at Vale of Glamorgan Council admitted they "didn't get the balance right" between raising income to protect services and supporting traders.

Matt Holland, who runs Willmore’s 1938, with his wife, said they were "absolutely over the moon" with the decision.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "They’ve come to their senses. Hopefully it will be more long term. Since the changes have come in we have had a massive downfall in business."

Mr Holland said his cafe saw a 30% slump in trade including a massive chunk of spontaneous business that they would usually get and from people working in the area.

He said he hopes they can get back to normality but added: “I think it’s going to take a while for people to realise these charges are gone."

“The council has seen no one is visiting the car parks and they are not taking the money they were projecting to be taking.”

He added: “We have been very frustrated. Very upset. I don’t think they realise what stress and anguish they have caused us.”

Mr Holland said his staff have also been put through stress - and that the council should have consulted people before pressing ahead with the charges.

"What we need now is to get the message out there", he said. "Hopefully moving forward, we can get back into profitability."

“I don’t think they get what they put us through. £100,000 we’ve invested into that site. We’ve invested our heart and soul.”

Mr Holland told the LDRS he had to let staff go and cut hours down - with around 30-40% of their turnover written off as a result of the parking charges. Even after trading hours had been cut, they didn't even pay for themselves.

“We are human beings. We are people. We are not big corporate companies", he added.

The cabinet report suggested that the parking charges at the three sites could become seasonal instead of year-round - with a further report, including consideration on plans for on-street fees, due to be discussed in the New Year.

Last week, Cllr Mark Wilson, the cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said pausing the charges would give the council "the chance to reset, listen further and ensure any future approach is is fair, better timed, and supportive of the community."

He added: "People have spoken honestly about how the timing has affected them, especially during the autumn and winter months, which is an already difficult period for coastal businesses."

"We introduced the charges after months of consideration, but we recognise that bringing them in just as daylight shortens and visitor numbers fall placed extra pressure on traders and residents at the wrong time."

"These charges were meant to work alongside new on-street parking charges at Barry Island and Penarth Seafront, designed to increase turnover of the busiest spaces."

"With those still not in place, and the Council yet to consider the recent consultation on their introduction, the current situation encourages people to use free on-street parking instead of the car parks, which is counterproductive and could also potentially become a source of confusion for visitors."

But Cllr Wilson, who represents the Stanwell ward in Penarth, insists the introduction of the charges is still "the best decision for the Vale".

He added: "At the same time, we recognise that our implementation could have been more flexible, and we are committed to maintaining this flexible approach moving forward."

“Our focus now is to work with residents and businesses to develop a parking strategy that genuinely works for everyone, generates much needed income to protect vital services, and strengthens our coastal towns.” 

Additional reporting by Anthony Lewis - Local Democracy Reporter for the Vale of Glamorgan

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