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 and thriving.
Yes, the idea of paying to park is frustrating, and I won’t lie. I wasn’t overjoyed by the decision. But the new parking fees are relatively modest—£1.00 for an hour or £2.50 for the whole day. Let’s put this into perspective:
That £1.00 might be the cost of a single item from a pound shop.
Yet spending it on parking gives you the opportunity to explore a variety of shops, grab a coffee, enjoy a meal, or attend a local event.
This small investment ensures that local businesses can continue to thrive. The alternative? A high street filled with empty units and a town that loses its vibrancy.
It’s easy to post online about how much we “love our high street” or how we “can’t live without” our local coffee shop. But real support means showing up—even when it’s slightly less convenient. The parking fees aren’t there to punish us; they’re there to help maintain the spaces we use every day.
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 those comments from those that
Instead of focusing on what’s changing, let’s focus on what we can do:
Visit Sudbury with purpose—grab that gift, enjoy that lunch, or catch up with friends at a local café.
Encourage others to shop local and remind them of the difference it makes.
Think about what we gain when we support our high street: a thriving town filled with familiar faces and unique places.
Think about how much time and money we’d waste, sitting in a traffic jam on our way to Colchester to buy something we could have bought by popping into the local town.
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?
