Letter to the editor: Downtown businesses

I just got a parking ticket from downtown.  I was three minutes late.  I was making a purchase at a local small business.  The owner is seriously thinking of closing her doors forever because business is so slow downtown that economically it does not pay to try and stay open.

The City penalizes customers from trying to support downtown businesses.  I can make the equivalent purchase in a big box or franchise store but I choose to help our local independent businesses trying to earn a living downtown.

I am heartbroken that we are losing our downtown as a vibrant, integral centre of our community.  The City should rethink how to encourage more traffic in our city centre, supporting businesses by reducing metered infractions; for example making the first hour of parking free.

Alice Cullen

Prince Albert

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