Why another Gloucester business is set to leave the high street and head online

Parking tickets and internet gaming are being blamed for the loss of another high street store in Gloucester .

A closing down sale is on at Scoot69, in Southgate Street, after the store spent eight years selling scooters, skateboards and associated clothing and gadgets in the city centre.

But owners Richard and Debbie Foot have called time on a physical presence of their business saying internet gaming and parking restrictions have called made trading difficult.

They said delivery drivers have been ticketed on countless occasions while they make deliveries and the couple have also been given tickets by traffic wardens while they get ready for shows.

Scoot69 is on the pedestrianised part of Southgate Street, opposite Brunswick Baptist Church.

Parking restrictions at that spot mean vehicles aren’t able to park outside the store at any time.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire County Council said: "Outside 45 Southgate Street no waiting or loading is permitted at any time so vehicles are not allowed to stop at all in the immediate area.

"However, there is a loading bay nearby where vehicles can legally load after 5pm and before 10am.

"Civil enforcement officers will issue penalty charge notices where people are parking illegally. They follow a set process, and do not have the authority to exercise discretion. If people wish to appeal against a notice there is an official appeals process."

But Mr Foot said he’s tried everything to stop getting a ticket.

“We’ve tried everything we can think of. We’ve had enough. Every time a delivery is made, the delivery driver gets a ticket,” he said.

“All the delivery drivers moan. You can’t deliver to the door. It’s a nightmare really.”

Mr Foot also said that internet games, such as phenomenon Fortnite, have seen sales dwindle.

“It takes over children’s lives. They want to spend their time online,” he added.

Now they will focus all of their attention on an online store, scoot69.co.uk

Last year the couple had to make cuts to staff and now the store will close for good next Saturday (September 29).

Discounts of 50 per cent are offered on heelies, while everything else is on offer for 30 per cent.