These are signs that have appeared in the city center of Romorantin, and more specifically on the Place de la Paix. “Parking reserved for customers”, « Parking clients »we can read in black writing on a fluorescent orange background. An initiative of local traders like “a little acerbic wink”explains Pascal Goubert of Palais Gourmet. The objective: to try to make traders or employees who park in the spaces near the stores understand to go and store their cars further away and leave the spaces so that potential customers can park near the businesses. “We get to this point because customers ask us if a petition exists”in relation to this problem, testifies the wine merchant. Especially during the holiday season when there are more buyers in store.
“Traders are shooting themselves in the foot”
Several signs appeared on Place de la Paix.
© Photo NR, Quentin Cillard
On the municipal side, Pierre-Richard Bourard, municipal councilor responsible for businesses, is well aware of this subject: “We talk about it regularly and we educate by explaining to traders that they are shooting themselves in the foot with buffer cars. » Because these parking spaces should benefit customers who park temporarily and allow the “city center to be irrigated. Everyone has to do their part”wishes the chosen one who aspires to “find consensus”.
Park further away and walk
One of the solutions proposed and suggested to traders is to park in free car parks but a little further away such as that of the Fosse aux Lions, that in front of the sub-prefecture, that of the Libération or even that of the Republic . Before being invited to reach their workplace on foot. Other possibilities, more regulatory, are and will also be studied during the year 2025 as indicated by Pierre-Richard Bourard.
A debate which takes place while the overhaul of the city center – and in particular travel in the city center – is being studied. A public consultation was completed last summer. An advisory committee made up of elected officials and experts should be formed and met in January 2025, before the municipality makes decisions.
Contacted, Jean-Christophe Cadoux, president of the Romorantin association of traders and craftsmen (Arca), did not wish to expand on the subject while specifying that this initiative – the installation of the panels – is “a good idea, I think, on a personal level”. The subject of parking will be raised again at the next Arca meeting in March 2025.
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