The Big Debate October 2014: An interview with Chris Oakley from Oakley Commercial

Would business be better in Brighton if we took cars out of the city centre? Our Big Debate will give you the chance to share your views on this controversial topic. Come along to City College Brighton & Hove on Wednesday 22 October, 6.00 – 8.00pm and make your voice heard. We asked Chris Oakley, Executive Chairman of Oakley Commercial, our sponsors for this event, to give his view on the transport system in Brighton:

What is your view of the transport system in Brighton, and does it hinder or support the running of your business?
I think it lacks joined up thinking! We have a business that employs 25 people in the city centre, over half of whom have to be mobile in and out of the city by car.  It’s a daily battle to try and cope with the complications and conflicts of Brighton & Hove’s road network system and parking policies. Only the other day I had connected appointments in and out of the city I had to park in Regency Square car park and paid nearly £10 for a minute over 2 hours, but on a week day the beautifully refurbished car park was virtually empty, it seemed such a waste of a facility for which there is clearly demand.  I guess people in Brighton are in a sense being taxed out of their cars as I wouldn’t get caught again! The rest of the day involved expensive parking and sitting for over 30 minutes at one point in Lewes Road trying to get out of town, I did think this is all wrong, but there was no way my day would work without a car!

How could the transport system be improved to support your business?
We need to start from a position of the Council understanding that certain elements of the business community have no choice but to use cars or other vehicles and also not everyone lives in the city centre, many of us commute into the city and then need a car for work.  Brighton has to come up with a solution to cope with the daily commute for those people who have to use cars, in a city that only has a 180 degree access, unlike other towns and cities that can be accessed from all directions. We need bold decisions to put in place a workable park and ride system. I am all for sustainable transport and use it whenever I can, but we have to find a balance between private and public transport. It would help our business greatly if there was a more business friendly parking permit system, assessed on a needs basis business by business for those who apply.

How does parking affect where businesses choose to base their office?
We are office letting agents so are very experienced in this regard. It has a massive impact and I have seen Brighton miss out on some great employer opportunities over the years, with parking and the road system being a factor in relocation decisions.  Parking is also often in our industry and important factor when we are employing people or indeed when they consider the job package they are offered.  If the costs of commuting and parking are higher than other areas it is a factor in the decision to work in Brighton

Do clients favour the ability to park easily even when there are alternative good transport links?
I think they do as it’s human nature. I don’t think we are going to get people out of cars, which was the view a few years ago.  Indeed, what we are seeing is the car industry adapting to make their products more environmentally friendly, so I am sure we will get to the environmental goal soon.  At the end of the day there has to be a balance for those businesses that need to use cars for staff and clients and those who do not necessarily.  We all have to take some responsibility to cut down our car journeys and try and work out what is the most socially responsible way to travel, within reasonable limits.

Do you think that business owners would be deterred from buying or renting commercial property in Brighton if cars were banned in the city centre?
Absolutely, I think it would be economic suicide for Brighton, it would send out a message to say we are closed for business.  

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