Would Free Car Parking Increase Town Centre Footfall?

Would permanent free parking in a town centre increase footfall and trade? Well according to one Welsh town, yes it would.

Yesterday it was reported nationally that Cardigan had seen an increase in shoppers and footfall in the town since council pay and display parking meters had been damaged.

The ticket machines are reported to have been out of use since June and the sudden free parking appears to have had a positive impact on those trading in the town – with one business reporting a rise of 30%

One reason for the increase in shopping has simply been to people staying longer in the town, with some shoppers reportedly stating that they no longer feel they have to rush to their car. Traders have since asked that Ceredigion Council reconsiders the parking charges for the town.

Car parking has been a controversial topic in Wrexham for the past 12 months, with parking prices in all council owned car parks increased last year. Since then traders have reported a decline in footfall, car parks not occupying at their full capacity and shoppers opting to visit out of town retail parks instead of Wrexham Town Centre.

Currently Wrexham Council offer a number of short stay car parks, along with £4 parking tickets for long stay in Waterworld, free after 3pm in the People’s Market and Crescent Road and also all day parking for £2 in the People’s Market. Shoppers can also park all day for £1.50 in the Crescent Road car park. A number of free parking days, including for the upcoming Play Day event are also offered throughout the year.

However traders in Wrexham have called for more to be done and last week a furious war of words broke out between local business owners and Council Leader, Mark Pritchard at the Town Centre Forum.

Speaking at last week’s Town Centre Forum Meeting, Chairman Nigel Lewis said: “If people can park for free and you put an event on, they will come. If you provide something and you make it accessible – the free parking days demonstrate that.

“I would like to know how many £4 parking tickets are sold on a Saturday in that car park. Crown buildings car park has nearly 100 spaces and it is nearly empty. I’d be amazed if you are taking £10 in parking fees in that car park.”

Wrexham.com yesetrday queried the provision of car parking in the town and if the Council have plans to re-evaluate the prices in the next financial year. Cllr David A Bithell Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “As a Council, it is recognised the contribution available and affordable parking can make in helping support and sustain local businesses operating in the Town Centre. Following a decision made by Members of the Executive Board in November 2014, parking charges in the Peoples Market were reduced in January from £3.00 to £2.00 for all day parking.

“In March of this year, following on from the success of Small business Saturday held in December, the Council committed to supporting a number of events in the Town Centre with the offer of free parking across all Council operated Town Centre Car Parks.

“These events included the recently held Wrexham Food and Drink Festival in May, the upcoming Annual Play Day on the 5th August and Small Business Saturday which this year falls on the on the 5th December we are also offering free car parking on two Saturday’s in the People’s Market leading up to Christmas.

“I am delighted that that we as a Council have been able to commit to the offer of free parking in the town centre in support of events and businesses in the Town Centre. The feedback received from the organisers of the events and traders has been extremely positive with many commenting on the positive contribution the offer of free parking made to the overall success of these events. In particular Nightingale house hospice recently thanked the council who benefited from the food festival held in May.

“I am committed to look if we can do anything next year but mindful of the financial pressures we are currently facing.”

More information on car parking and fees can be found on the Wrexham Council website here.