News / Transport
Fiddlers wins parking restrictions concession
Parking restrictions outside Fiddlers music venue in Bedminster have been relaxed after a campaign from owners who said their business was suffering.
Under the Bedminster Residents’ Parking Zone (RPZ), which went live in October, new double yellow lines were painted outside the entrance, preventing customers and bands from parking outside the venue at night.
But the lines on on Willway Street are due to be replaced with a single yellow which would allow free, unrestricted parking between 6pm-8am. New paid-for parking bays will remain around the venue.
The club started a petition a week before the new RPZ was due to start in the autumn saying they feared for their family business.
Mayor George Ferguson said at the time the venue had failed to respond to the consultation and changes could not be made until the six-month review.
On Tuesday he revealed that restrictions would be relaxed with immediate effect and the lines would be changed in the spring.
He said: “I am really pleased to see that we have been able to work out a solution that supports Fiddlers, as it is such an important venue for the city, one in which I have enjoyed many a good evening in the past. It is vital that we support local businesses.
“As soon as I heard about their concerns via social media, I asked that a sensible solution be found, resulting in these new measures.
He added: “There is no one size fits all RPZ and we will continue to review each scheme to make sure it works as well as possible for everyone working and living in each zone, without compromising its core purpose.”
Peter and Daniel Cleary, owners of Fiddlers, thanked all those who supported their original petition to help change the rules which had “a direct impact” on their business.
No other changes are currently being made to the Bedminster East RPZ, which operates Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm.
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