Plea for free parking to save town centres

A CAMPAIGN has been launched across Greater Manchester and Cheshire for free parking to be introduced in urban centres.

The Federation of Small Businesses has written to council leaders in both areas asking them to follow the example of Rochdale Council which introduced free parking last year.
 
Rochdale’s scheme allows motorists to park for the first three hours free with anything longer requiring payment. The scheme has boosted footfall at participating town centres in the borough by around a third, providing a welcome shot in the arm for retailers.

The business support organisation is now asking other councils to follow Rochdale’s lead and consider piloting similar schemes to ascertain whether the effect is similar.

Simon Edmondson, FSB regional chairman for Manchester and North Cheshire, said: “There’s plenty of evidence to show car parking charges hurt traders, and the figures from Rochdale speak for themselves.

“While we know some councils already operate differing forms of parking concessions, FSB believe the ‘first three for free’ is the best. The format prevents all day parking, but allows plenty of time for shoppers to go about their business without having to rush.

“We have now wrote to all councils in Greater Manchester and Cheshire asking they take a closer look at Rochdale’s bold lead.

“While I totally understand local authority budgets are being squeezed, I would say there’s an economic argument that vibrant town centres attract new businesses to the area, encourage local spending, create jobs, and ultimately have a snow ball effect on regeneration.”

Edmondson says there are clear examples where towns have seen a resurgence in footfall where car parking charges have changed.

In 2015, retailers in Cardigan, Wales reported a huge increase in business after vandals destroyed the town’s two car parking meters.

He also said free car parking charges many local authorities introduce in the run up to Christmas acknowledges car parking charges do deter shoppers.

Research with FSB members carried out earlier this summer also shows little support among retailers for charging.

Asked what measures councils could enact to help improve town centre footfall, 67% agreed a relaxation of parking costs, like a ‘first three for three’ scheme, would help.

Almost half of traders (43%) categorised parking charges as ‘bad for business’.