BUSINESS could be forced to close if plans to introduce resident-only parking are agreed by Southend Council.

That is the belief of Giuseppe Muretto, who has run the Milton Cafe in Milton Road with his wife for more than a quarter of a century.

He said that previous plans to abolish free parking were seen off 15 years ago with the help of the Echo - and says it’s more important than ever to support local businesses by letting people park nearby.

Mr Muretto said: “We’ve all already been struggling because of Covid, but this could be the end. Where would people go if they couldn’t park up to come in our cafe for something to eat or drink? Simple - they would go somewhere else.

“Last time they tried to do this we got the Echo involved, we got the MP Sir Teddy Taylor to help us, the mosque were on our side. We lost a couple of spaces, because we used to have 12, and there is only a maximum one hour’s stay, but eventually we got a solution.”

The proposed changes would introduce residents-only parking from 9am to 6pm on Mondays to Saturday, and from 11am to 5pm on Sundays. 

It is being considered for Avenue Road, Avenue Terrace, Burdett Avenue, Canewdon Road, Cossington Road, Hadleigh Road, Hermitage Road, Leonard Road, Milton Road, Park Crescent, Park Road, Park Terrace, Preston Road, Retreat Road, St Helens Road, St Johns Road, St Vincent’s Road and Wickford Road.

Ron Woodley, member for transport, at Southend Council, stressed that no decision had been taken.

He said: “We are currently carrying out a statutory consultation with residents and businesses regarding the possibility of designating Milton Road, among other roads in the area, as resident permit zones. This follows on from an informal consultation held last year, which shows respondents to be in favour of designating the areas as resident permit zones.

“This consultation has been requested by local ward Councillors acting on behalf of their residents, and I would urge any resident or business in the area to respond to the statutory consultation in the appropriate way, in writing by the closing date.

“It is important to stress that no decision has been made as of yet. 

“We are required to gauge the views of residents and businesses which is why the consultation has been launched.”