Wrexham’s Car Parking Debate Continues As More Footfall Figures Revealed

The ongoing debate over car parking and footfall in Wrexham continued last night at the monthly Town Centre Forum meeting. 

At yesterday’s meeting (full meeting report here) the subject of car parking and a decrease in footfall was raised under the ‘Other Business’ section.

Speaking about the topic, Councillor William Baldwin said: “Shops are shutting and it is destroying businesses and livelihood. At 2pm Wrexham dies.”

However the forum was told that ‘figures are comparable to the previous year’.

Councillor Bob Dutton said: “The prices compare favourably with places up the road. It might be an interest in talking to the private sector to improve footfall.”

On Monday Wrexham.com reported on tonight’s Scrutiny Committee report, which states that while footfall in the town has decreased, parking in the town has increased. Within the report it also states that sales in the town centre have increased.

Speaking last night, Town Centre Manager Isobel Garner said that footfall in the town centre is down, however sales in the ‘multiples’ are up.

Ruth Rees from Martin Rees Jewellers told members that she was gathering figures from some of the independent businesses in Wrexham so ‘Councillors can see that it is different circumstances compared to the multiples.’

Manager of Eagles Meadow and Town Centre Forum Chairman, Kevin Critchley said: “We have to remember that the vast majority of parking in Wrexham is not in Council car parks. I do not have information from Vinci, however my gut feeling is that intake is low.”

Members were also told that footfall from the different entrances to the shopping centre had changed, with Mr Critchley stating: “What’s most noticeable is the entrance from the High Street (the Eagles Meadow bridge) is down and that used to be our busiest entrance.

“We have noticed an increase of people coming through Next and Debenhams, with people parking in Tesco and Mecca Bingo.”

Mr Critchley went on to state that the footfall counters at the various entrances to Eagles Meadow showed that footfall was down 2.6% in April, but was up in May.

Council Leader Neil Rogers said: “The Council only own 19% of car parking in Wrexham. In a town this size, the prices we charge are cheaper than bigger towns.”

The subject of car parking and footfall will once again come under debate tonight when Councillors meet to discuss the town centre this evening.

The meeting is open to the public and will take place at 6:30pm at the Guildhall.