Move to scrap town centre parking fees
Jan 31 2008 by Brian Daniel, The Journal
PARKING charges in a Northumberland market town could be scrapped.
Some town centre shops and firms in Alnwick have reported a fall in trade since Argos and Homebase opened stores on the outskirts of the town last year.
The out-of-town shops have free parking, but there are charges for people visiting outlets in Alnwick town centre.
But now Alnwick District Council is considering introducing free off-peak parking in the town centre for residents of the district in a bid to encourage people to come into Alnwick and help local businesses.
Geoff Proudlock, owner of Proudlock House and Home in Alnwick, has welcomed the move. “As a town centre trader who is trying to compete with the likes of Homebase, Argos, eventually Sainsbury’s and possibly more sheds now that a precedent has been set, they all pose a threat of one-stop shopping with free parking.
“It certainly would be a great help to my business to be able to compete on an equal playing field instead of having to pay the double whammy of higher rates and car parking charges, which do keep folk away from shopping in the town centre.
“It is a fact that out-of-town sheds have caused financial chaos and damage to businesses in market towns throughout the country. While I am not an advocate of restrictive practice and believe the general public should have greater choice, at least give town centres the chance to survive, to develop and invest, and to retain the heritage that is there for all to see.”
The council's proposals would see free town centre parking in quiet periods such as mid morning and mid afternoon.
Alnwick councillor Susan Bell said: “Unless we allow some change in the parking, we are going to lose businesses because if we are going to prevent people from parking they are going to go to where they know there will be a free car park – Sainsbury’s or Homebase. They will not bother with town centre businesses.”
Alnwick Civic Society has also welcomed the proposals. President Philip Deak said: “Anything that helps local traders is always a good thing. It would spread the parking out, the local people would like it, it seems like a good idea.”
The council’s operations scrutiny and overview committee has agreed to form a working party to look at free off-peak parking. Representations will be invited from Northumberland County Council, which shares responsibility for parking in Alnwick with the district authority.
The working group will look at similar schemes elsewhere around the country. At nearby Morpeth free off-peak parking operates in the town centre and has been hailed a success.
Financial implications of the scheme will also be considered.
