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Town centre car park to open overnight (From Watford Observer)
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Church car park in Watford town centre set to open overnight
11:35am Monday 24th December 2012 in News
By Mike Wright, Chief Reporter
A car park in Watford town centre is set to open overnight in response to more businesses opening in the area, its operator has announced.
The Harlequin Shopping Centre has said Church car park, off Exchange Road, will be extending its hours beyond 11pm from Monday December 31.
The extension comes in response to demands from car park users and the opening of more restaurants in Lower High Street.
Mike Stevens, general manager of The Harlequin, said: "We aim to provide our shoppers, and visitors to Watford town centre, with the best facilities to ensure an enjoyable experience.
"The changes to Church car park operating hours and the new tariff structure should enable visitors to enjoy the new restaurant development."
Currently the car park operates staggered charges until 7pm Monday to Friday, 10pm on Thursdays, 8pm on Saturdays and 6pm on Sundays, after which motorists pay a blanket £6 charge.
When the changes come, in the day time charges will be extended until 1am after which there will be a £1-an-hour charge.
Comments(4)
Oxhey-Moron
says...
1:12am Tue 25 Dec 12
Razor Sharp wrote:I do think that the Harlequin should have longer opening hours, if they really want to be able to compete with the Westfield Centre and Brent Cross. It doesn't necessarily have to be that much later, even until 7 could attract new people into the area. With the restaurants, and eventually a cinema, it wouldn't make sense to keep the current hours!
It should be good for businesses and restaurants, but what provision has been made for individual safety in the car park in the early hours?
What's the possible impact on local taxis?
How many people are likely to stay that late in town and be sober enough to drive home?
Has there been an impact assessment on the proposals and knock-on effects?
Perhaps the Harlequin should stay open longer as well.
Razor Sharp
says...
10:53am Tue 25 Dec 12
Oxhey-Moron wrote:The Westfield shopping centre model is excellent. I often see shoppers going from Watford to Shepherds Bush, most likely to the Westfield shopping Centre there, which is big and the surrounding restaurants and cafes are fairly good. The Stratford Westfield is massive. A cinema in the Town Centre is much needed.
Razor Sharp wrote:I do think that the Harlequin should have longer opening hours, if they really want to be able to compete with the Westfield Centre and Brent Cross. It doesn't necessarily have to be that much later, even until 7 could attract new people into the area. With the restaurants, and eventually a cinema, it wouldn't make sense to keep the current hours!
It should be good for businesses and restaurants, but what provision has been made for individual safety in the car park in the early hours?
What's the possible impact on local taxis?
How many people are likely to stay that late in town and be sober enough to drive home?
Has there been an impact assessment on the proposals and knock-on effects?
Perhaps the Harlequin should stay open longer as well.
Regular opening hours of 7 or 8 on weekdays and Saturdays, together with a cinema would make sense, especially with a 9 to 5 job rarely being just that. An opportunity to shop after work wouldn't be an altogether bad thing.
garston tony
says...
7:58am Thu 27 Dec 12
Razor Sharp wrote:I would imagine if they thought it was going to make money (and the council allowed it) they would already be opening longer, that after all is for them the whole point of the shopping centre and shops making money.
Oxhey-Moron wrote:The Westfield shopping centre model is excellent. I often see shoppers going from Watford to Shepherds Bush, most likely to the Westfield shopping Centre there, which is big and the surrounding restaurants and cafes are fairly good. The Stratford Westfield is massive. A cinema in the Town Centre is much needed. Regular opening hours of 7 or 8 on weekdays and Saturdays, together with a cinema would make sense, especially with a 9 to 5 job rarely being just that. An opportunity to shop after work wouldn't be an altogether bad thing.Razor Sharp wrote: It should be good for businesses and restaurants, but what provision has been made for individual safety in the car park in the early hours? What's the possible impact on local taxis? How many people are likely to stay that late in town and be sober enough to drive home? Has there been an impact assessment on the proposals and knock-on effects? Perhaps the Harlequin should stay open longer as well.I do think that the Harlequin should have longer opening hours, if they really want to be able to compete with the Westfield Centre and Brent Cross. It doesn't necessarily have to be that much later, even until 7 could attract new people into the area. With the restaurants, and eventually a cinema, it wouldn't make sense to keep the current hours!
Razor Sharp says...
1:15pm Mon 24 Dec 12
What's the possible impact on local taxis?
How many people are likely to stay that late in town and be sober enough to drive home?
Has there been an impact assessment on the proposals and knock-on effects?
Perhaps the Harlequin should stay open longer as well.