Free Parking Days From Council Plus Price Freeze

‘Key’ town centre events are set to benefit from free parking if recommendations are approved by the Council’s Executive Board next week.

In his report to members Cllr David A Bithell, Lead for the Environment, proposes that free parking is offered for Wrexham Food and Drink Festival on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May, the Annual Play Day, Wednesday 5 August and Small Business Saturday on 5 December.

Further proposals are to provide free parking in the People’s Market on 12 and 19 December with a view towards Christmas Shopping.

The proposals follow the excellent response from traders and visitors when free parking was offered in the run up to Christmas 2014.

Cllr David A Bithell, said: “I am very pleased to be presenting this report to Executive Board which I believe is excellent news during challenging financial times. The current Council administration is committed to supporting both the traders in the town centre and popular events that traditionally attract large visitor numbers to the town centre.

“The proposals I am putting forward demonstrates our support to both of these and, if approved, will be an excellent marketing tool for organisers and traders to promote and encourage more people to Wrexham in support of the local economy”.

Councillor Bithell also told Wrexham.com yesterday: “Rather than do things piecemeal we will set our stall out for the coming year. It is not our intention to change tariffs throughout 2015 apart from the contents of this report. We think this is a good initiative and hope people embrace it.”

Council Leader Mark Pritchard said: “The Council is working closely with local business owners and understands the concerns they have over parking charges throughout the town centre. By enabling people to park for free on specific town centre events we hope to change people’s shopping habits by encouraging them to visit Wrexham more frequently and support local businesses.”

The report (PDF here) gives details of the costs of the promotion, and how it has been recouped: “The expected revenue income reduction from the proposed provision of free parking on the various event dates throughout 2015 and from the ‘all day’ free parking on 12th & 19th December in the Peoples Market Multi-Storey will be in the region of £9K. However, the decision taken by Members in November 2014 to reduce parking prices in the Peoples Market Multi Storey from the 05th January 2015 would appear to be having a positive effect in terms of occupancy. The increase in the popularity of the Peoples Multi-Storey car park will help off-set the anticipated 9K revenue reduction Any residual reduction in income will be absorbed through the Housing, Public Protection and Environment Department’s cash limited revenue budget.”

The report will be considered by Executive Board members at its 10 March meeting starting at 2.00 pm. The meeting will be webcast and members of the public are invited to attend in person or to view the proceedings online at the Wrexham Council website.