Beauty salon owner calls for action on 'parking crisis' in Maidenhead town centre

The owner of a beauty salon in Maidenhead has criticised the council for the lack of parking to support businesses in the town centre.

Maidenhead resident Emma Buckland owns The Guinot Salon at David Lloyd in Grenfell Island and has been based there for 10 years.

The fitness club has no car parking allocation, and since the closure of Broadway Car Park in December, she said her staff and clients have suffered as ‘no adequate alternatives have been provided’.

Emma told the Advertiser: “Our end of town, although in a prime position near the train station, has been totally neglected.

“People are late for their treatments which has a knock on effect for other appointments and if they have a negative experience, the likelihood is they’re not going to come back in a hurry.”

She said Bell Street and Reflex car parks are always full, and the other alternative, Vicus Way, is unsuitable for people with mobility issues.

Last week, Emma had one 86-year-old client with a walking stick, walk to her appointment after parking at Grenfell Road.

Emma added that women won’t feel safe walking back to the multi-storey car park after dark.

“If you’re coming in for a facial or massage, or something that’s going to make you feel good, the last thing you need is questioning: Where am I going to park? Can I get back to my car in time? Am I going to get a ticket?” she added.

Emma said the ‘whole area is going to be on its knees before we see any benefits of the badly planned regeneration’ and will be making a decision about relocation within the next three months.

“It’s taking forever and the council don’t seem to care about existing businesses. They’re not taking care of what’s already there.”

She contacted the council about the ‘parking crisis’ in March but was unhappy by its ‘weak’ response.

“How do you plan as a business? I’m fully staffed and ready for growth. We’re in a better location long-term but how long could a business carry on if there’s no accessibility for customers.”

“We’re quite a high end salon, so our treatments are luxury but its been hard to grow because of the parking situation.

“We have a banner on our website and we always call new customers to explain where they can park – that takes extra time. We do our best but it’s got to a point where we’ve had enough and want some answers.”

Councillor Geoff Hill, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Firstly, I’d again like to thank everyone for continuing to play your part for Maidenhead town centre by shopping locally and supporting traders.

"While the closure of Broadway was necessary to protect public safety, we fully appreciate this brought some inconvenience as motorists have adapted their parking habits since December.

“As highlighted in our current communications campaign, Hines Meadow, Grove Road and West Street car parks are all within easy reach, for most people, of the Nicholsons centre and other High Street retailers.

"Hines Meadow always has spaces free for shoppers, even at weekends, and has recently seen improvement works, with lighting upgrades and better directional signage to the shops.

“Blue badge holders can park for free in any bay at all council car parks. However, we’re very aware that the Broadway closure has overall reduced the number of bays reserved for blue badge holders in the town centre and this will be a key consideration as part of our forthcoming strategic review of town centre parking across the borough, to ensure we have the right car parking offer.”