Durham council praises Seaham despite concern over parking charges

Durham County Council responded to a warning that traders are financially worse off after the local authority introduced fares earlier this year. 

Councillor Kevin Shaw, of Dawdon division, called on the council to reveal the financial impact on daytime businesses in the seaside town, which are located in areas where parking charges have been introduced. 

However, the council’s ruling coalition disputed the claim and said the area has improved after visitors increased. 

Parking charges were introduced in the seaside town earlier this year (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Councillor Elizabeth Scott, cabinet member for economy and partnerships, told a full council meeting: “Having provided long-term investment to reposition Seaham’s economy we continue to provide support to businesses. 

“The most recent vacancy figure in Seaham, measured in summer 2024, shows a 92.8 per cent occupancy, which is the highest in the county. 

“We do not and should not track the individual and financial performance of every business. However, we use other data to provide us with the performance and vitality of our main centres. This includes both measures of property vacancies and an assessment of footfall.”

Cllr Shaw previously warned the parking charges would be a backwards step for the town.

“Bringing in charges will deter visitors and will massively impact local businesses and residents,” he said.

“Seaham significantly relies on the visitor economy, as the town centre has struggled over a number of years, right the way back to the pit closures. Retail has failed to revive the town centre despite massive intervention.”

But Liberal Democrat Cllr Scott pointed to recent work carried out by the council at Seaham Marina and praised the impact of events such as the food festival. 

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She added: “We routinely assess all available data for Seaham, and our other towns, to ensure we can support policy and programme development to ensure our centres are effective leisure destinations. 

“We will continue to provide support to new businesses and those seeking to diversify. We remain committed to supporting businesses in our town centres including thriving centres such as Seaham and will continue to work as we develop strategic place plans to identify future priorities and opportunities within towns across the county.”

In a later response to Labour’s Cllr Shaw, Cllr Scott added: “Seaham’s actually doing really well.”