Wrexham Council to offer free-after-2pm parking incentive later this year to get you shopping in town

Wrexham Council look likely to start offering free parking after 2pm in their car parks every day from April to help the town centre.

Announcing the move a ‘delighted’ Council Leader Mark Pritchard said, “It is important to support and help local shops and independent shops, and the town. It has taken time but we have got there and I would like to thank councillors for their political support for this.”

“We are running this for 12 months as it is important to give it time to bed in. Lots has been said about parking, but we are actually doing it. In other councils they have moved away from this, but we are doing it.”

The incentive will start during April this year and run for twelve months as a ‘trial’, with footfall, car park use and sales data being used to measure success and impact.

Cllr Pritchard noted he had spoken with some UK national chains who could be considering their futures in towns and cities across the UK, and hoped that such action by the council would be seen favourably and that they were ‘doing our bit’.

“Business rates are controlled from Westminster and Cardiff and we have no control on those, but we can control parking. Our hope now is that private car parking companies in Wrexham follow suit. Why can’t Eagles Meadow or Island Green offer or do it?”

Cllr David A Bithell added, “The council play a small part but businesses themselves need to play their part. People will shop in Wrexham regardless of parking prices, and the prices are low compared to Chester and Shrewsbury. Businesses have to do their bit.”

We asked what the budgetary impact would be to cover the cost of such a scheme, and were told there is an ‘estimate’ known however it will be after the trial period the true cost will be known. Cllr Prichard added, “We know it will cause a loss of income but it is worth it for the benefit of the town.”

Council Chief Executive Ian Bancroft pointed to the ‘narrower aims’ of Wrexham Council, with a tight list of stated priorities – that includes the town centre – and that such priorities become the ‘key drivers’ of budget decisions. The report before councillors covers this issue by stating: “The significant reduction in income will need to be considered as part of the 2020/21 corporate budget process. A corresponding pressure will be included in the Revenue Budget 2020/21 report to the Executive Board later this month.”

Cllr Pritchard asked the people of Wrexham to ‘get behind the scheme and the town’ noting that the from 2pm timing meant there was ‘no rush’ to shop so hoped people would pop to town of an afternoon and perhaps shop, eat and drink.

The incentive will run from April 6th and include all council run car parks, aside from Tŷ Pawb, as we have documented before the carpark there plays a key part of its business plan.

Car parks that will be covered are:
Waterworld
Wrexham Library
St George’s Crescent
Crescent Road
St Giles
Market Street

The Council Executive Board will likely nod through the proposals on Tuesday.