A STAPLE Hill shop owner says the introduction of parking charges caused a “significant drop” in trade – and is a factor in the closure of the business.
Nikki Watten opened Nom Wholefoods in Broad Street in 2021, having started the business as a delivery service from her Fishponds home in 2019.
The refill shop, which helps people reduce their plastic waste by selling loose food, cleaning and bathroom products, will shut on June 9.
In 2024 it was named one of the country’s 100 most impressive small firms by the Small Business Saturday UK campaign.
Nikki said: “When we opened we identified Staple Hill as an up and coming high street – a lot of people were moving out here, there was a good community of traders and free parking – it was on the up and up.”
She said that last April she was facing burn-out and decided to sell the business on, so she could dedicate more time to her school-aged daughter – but a fall in trade meant she has had to close it instead.
Nikki said: “The parking charges came in and we really did see a significant drop in business, and we’ve never recovered.
“I’m not saying it’s the only thing that made me decide to close but it’s definitely a factor – all of us on the road have seen our business drop.
“The general economic climate is very difficult anyway, with the cost of living crisis.”
Nikki said a number of shops were also closing because the owners were retiring – the latest is Top to Bottom curtains in Fountain Square, which has announced it will close at Christmas.
Nikki, who employed two part-time staff, is holding a closing down sale to clear her stock, and has thanked the “wonderful” customers and community who have helped save thousands of pieces of plastic from going to waste.
Nom’s premises are set to become a convenience store.
Staple Hill Chamber of Trade chair George Georgiou said he was disappointed the council had only made the first 30 minutes’ parking free.
He said: “It’s better than nothing but it’s not what we requested, which was the first hour free.
“We’re in direct competition with Emersons Green and Longwell Green, where people don’t pay a penny to park – why will they come to Staple Hill now?
“If people can find a space on the High Street they can park free for an hour but if they are only getting half an hour in the car park, they will visit one shop then go – they won’t have time to stop at a cafe.”