Meriden's York Way shops 'facing closure' amid parking row

Seven shops in York Way, Meriden, not including the Co-op, have held crisis talks with Watford Community Housing, which owns the buildings, over their ongoing troubles.

They were previously based in the parade of shops in The Gossamers, where there was a nearby car park, before being moved due to regeneration work.

Car park outside the shops in The Gossamers before the buildings were knocked down for development. (Image: Google Street View)

However, since the new stores opened last year, a car park has not, despite the owners claiming they were promised one would be.

Until it opens, the owners have called on WCH to cease charging them rent as they aren’t getting enough customers to trade.

There has been an ongoing dispute regarding the opening of the Meriden's temporary car park (Image: Newsquest)

The ongoing saga has hamstrung the businesses' efforts to stay afloat.

Long-time Meriden business owner Donald Langford, who co-runs the Meriden Fish Bar, said: “If Watford Community Housing doesn’t help us, we will all have to close.

Donald Langford (left) with his co-owner Ferhat Cicek (right) (Image: Meriden Fish Bar)

“We were promised a car park. It doesn’t matter what business you have if there is no parking, you are done.

“The shops have been screwed over. It is a farce.”

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Some shopkeepers' health has been affected by the situation too.

Magda Dehghani, who co-owns the JetMaid Services with her husband, said: “The doctor says I have acid reflux in my stomach due to stress. I don’t sleep at night.

Magda Dehghani co-runs the laundrette with her husband Iman Dehghani (pictured) (Image: Magda Dehghani) (Image: Magda Dehghani)

“We only have this income, and we work hard investing everything.”

Mr Patel, who runs the Premier Post Office, said he is having to use his other business to fund this one.

“I’m struggling to pay the staff,” he added.

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“Not only do we need a car park, but we don’t even have access out the back to unload items for the shop.”

A WCH spokesperson said: “We appreciate that it has been a challenging time for the retailers at York Way while works are ongoing, and we know that the cost-of-living crisis is impacting on retail businesses everywhere.”

They said they cannot comment on commercial arrangements with retailers, but it has confirmed that meetings have been set up with the owners to discuss the issues.