Shop owners who lost business when customers were no longer allowed to park in car parks say their “prayers have been answered” now that restrictions have been lifted.
The stop along Faversham Road, Kennington, was previously shared by buses and customers wanting to use Savers Newsagents, Marino’s Fish Bar, Hall Hair and Ashford Dry Cleaners.
But in January 2022, thick yellow lines were painted on the road to prevent customers from parking and block access for buses.
Although the yellow lines remain, signs warning motorists not to park have been removed and shop owners have been told their customers can once again use the car park without fear of a parking fine.
The changes took a heavy toll on the lunch trade at Marino’s and even led to the chippy closing Sundays.
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But now owner Orthy Karios says he has noticed that business is picking up again and that he can reopen seven days a week.
“We’ve already seen a difference in customer returns,” he said.
“I would like to thank my staff, friends and family, as well as all the customers who signed the petition and wrote to the authorities.
“We have still managed to stay open despite everything, which shows our commitment to our company and our customers.
“I’m really grateful for everything. I feel like my prayers have been answered because I feel like there have been some really dark times where I was worried about my future.
“We would like to announce that the restrictions have been lifted.”
More than 3,000 people who use the shops signed a petition calling for parking to be reinstated.
Bella Patel, owner of the newsagent, said: “The sign was put up overnight and taken down overnight.
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“Since then I have noticed that more and more customers are coming in and out.
“We have told customers that they are not allowed to park there for more than 30 minutes.
“We don’t want people to park longer because that ruins it for everyone else.
“If customers hadn’t signed the petition we wouldn’t be here, so we’re really happy it all paid off.”
Dan Hall, director at Hall Hair, says the lifting of restrictions has been a big help for customers with limited mobility and those being dropped off for appointments.
“It has helped tremendously, especially for customers with disabilities,” he said.
“They couldn’t walk around the back because there are stairs there.
“We used to lose a lot of walk-in customers because they couldn’t park. Now they can park, walk in quickly and get a cut.”
Hall Hair customers who will be in the chair for extended periods are still encouraged to park in a car park at the rear of the shops accessible from Nettlefield.
Samer Al Masri, who took over Ashford Dry Cleaners four months ago, says he notices some customers are still too scared to park there.
He said: “I tell customers they can park there for 30 minutes but they say there are no signs so no one believes me.
“It’s a big problem for us. Customers sometimes only come for a dry cleaning company for two to three minutes, they are very fast but they do not dare to park there.”
The store owners say they will continue to call for a sign to be placed explaining the new rules.
KentOnline understands that bus operator Stagecoach, which initially requested the parking changes, is backing the lifting of the restrictions.
The company was contacted for comment.