Car park charges simply profiteering (From York Press)

Car park charges simply profiteering

11:12am Monday 7th January 2013 in Letters By Reader's letter

I have lost count of the number of times someone in authority keeps reminding us of the need to ensure York improves its tourism status.

The argument always seems to revolve around the fact that the more tourists come and stay in the city, the wealthier it will become.

There appears to be a degree of profiteering creeping into the argument. My daughter, who lives in Switzerland, came to stay in York over Christmas. As a family of four we were unable to provide the necessary accommodation, so they opted for a large hotel. Their bill came to something in excess of £400. The hotel then added four days’ car-parking fees of £42.50 to their bill.

One morning was spent at the National Railway Museum, for which they were charged a further £9 for a three-hour visit. One day’s parking in York therefore cost them £17.50.

Is it really necessary to charge your customers for parking (at the hotel) and why does the NRM see fit to charge for a whole day’s parking instead of an hourly rate?

Is this the way to attract more visitors to York, knowing that these people will also be spending money in the local shops? I think not.

David Rhodes, The Shrubberies, Cliffe.