Businesses at the Ring Road shopping complex in Armagh say their trade is being hit by motorists blocking the entrance and using the private car park as an all-day overspill for work and events – with one Range Rover recently left across the entrance for up to two hours.
One of those business owners, Cordelia Malone – who runs Cordelia’s chippy at the centre – has appealed for drivers to respect that the site is for customers only, warning that access problems are coming at a time of “rising costs and challenging trading conditions” for small businesses.
In a message to customers, she said that on Saturday afternoon, between 4pm and 6pm, a vehicle was parked directly across the entrance to the Ring Road Shopping Centre, making it “very difficult” for shoppers to get in or out.
“On Saturday this Range Rover was parked up blocking any cars from coming or going. It was parked up to two hours before someone came and moved it,” she said.
Ms Malone stressed her comments were “no criticism of the other local businesses in the area”, but said the pattern of parking is becoming unsustainable.
According to traders, the car park – which is private property – is intended for customers of the Ring Road shops only, but is increasingly being used by people parking up to go elsewhere.
“Really what’s happening is people are just parking their cars and vans over during the day and going to work, and in the evening people are parking their cars while they visit other places and end up blocking parking for people going to the shops at Ring Road,” Ms Malone explained.
“People are even parking up to travel to work for the day. Nothing there at 6am but by 8am it’s packed despite most of the businesses not opening until later in the day. It’s particularly bad on match days at the Athletic Grounds nearby.”
In response, businesses at the centre are moving to tighten up how the site is managed, introducing clearly signed customer-only parking and warning that the entrance “must be kept clear at all times”.
Drivers are being urged to use alternative parking if they are not visiting the Ring Road shops.
Ms Malone pointed to other options within walking distance, including behind St Malachy’s Chapel, Irish Street and Navan Street, and asked motorists to “please observe the signs and restrictions at each location”.
“Like many small businesses, we are facing rising costs and challenging trading conditions. Keeping our entrance and customer parking accessible is essential to protecting the livelihoods of everyone working here,” she said.
“We truly appreciate every customer who supports Cordelia’s and the other businesses within Ring Road Shopping Centre. We simply ask that people respect our parking and help us keep access clear for everyone.
“Thank you for your understanding and continued support.”
