A HOTELIER has hit out at Dorset Council's decision to scrap parking scratch cards saying 'they are needed to help guests'.
As reported, Dorset Council's decision to introduce new parking regulations mean hotels, guest house owners will no longer be able to apply for yearly permits or be able to buy scratch parking cards for their guests.
READ MORE: Weymouth holiday businesses hit out over 'unfair' parking charges
Jamie Quinn, who runs The Anchorage on The Esplanade, said the scratch card scheme reduced stress for his guests through quickly finding them a parking spot at a cut price, following a long journey to Weymouth.
He said: "The scratch cards were very useful.
"We need them as they help guests. The cards were something we could give guests after they had travelled for hours on busy motorists, having faced stressful traffic to get to Weymouth.
"A scratch card would allow guests at our hotel to park on car parks across Weymouth for £4 for a full 24-hour period.
Hopefully the scratch cards come back when the council make a new assessment next year."
The car parks which were included in the scratch card scheme included the Pavilion, the Swannery, and the Royal Yard.
During the summer, it is expected to cost visitors £10 for the 24-hour parking across Weymouth, which could put off visitors planning to come to the town this summer.
Chairman of the local hotel & guesthouse association, Claire Wall said: "You cannot imagine the scale of stress and anxiety this has caused.
"As a popular tourist town, our members now feel undervalued with this unfair handicap on our businesses. We do not understand why there were no discussions undertaken on the impact this would cause if these scratch cards were removed."
Ray Bryan from Dorset Council said the privilege is not enjoyed by other Dorset towns and the authority will stick to its decision, although it will monitor the effect of the changes.
He said: "It was decided that all discounted parking for visitors and tourists to Dorset should be removed so that affordable permits could be introduced to support people who live and work in Dorset.
"The impact of this decision will be monitored, and changes made if necessary.
"This year, the use of the Weymouth Park & Ride will be investigated to see if there is a more affordable parking option for visitors to Weymouth."
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