Just because that doesn’t factor in for me and you (as that was my initial thought), doesn’t mean other people won’t factor it in
It will impact some people but I doubt very many. If you already own a car, pay for fuel, and are going to town to buy things then I don't think parking charges are unexpected or bank breaking.
I believe studies have been done on this in the past which are usually quoted in these business cases that have shown that free parking for 2 hours, for example, actually hurts footfall because people will only stay for the duration of the free parking out of fear of parking fines, rather than spending longer term in the town centre or getting the bus to avoid it. This hurts restaurants and other places where 2 hours isn't enough to get shopping done as well as having a meal so people pick the more important one, and entertainment services. Some lances have gotten around that with longer free working but free parking is ultimately a cost and not a small one.
Businesses often shout the loudest about it, but probably don't even study how their customers get to them.
I know, we fill the black hole by charging parking for visitors to Middlesbrough. The visitors drop off because of the parking and more shops close and the council gets less rates. That should do it.
Paying for parking maybe not be an issue for many, but when you can drive to Teesside Park and park for free, it becomes a no brainer.
It only becomes a no brainer if the shops/things you need are at Teesside park for you to go there. In which case you would probably go to Teesside park anyway, seeing as Teesside park is already free and right by the shops you'd actually be going to. If people live really close to boro they would probably not avoid boro because it costs £1.50 to park there.
I really like Teesside park but the shops there are quite limited. It makes sense for larger stores, but even there to maintain occupancy they're having to split larger stores up into smaller units.
Having unlimited free parking can actually hurt high streets by attracting people who are making other trips to park there all day – perhaps to commute within a walking distance of their workplace. This means retail customers needing to arrive by car can’t find a space.
www.sustrans.org.uk
Take next, m&s and primark away and what exactly are you left with ... A town centre no different to any other HOF, Debenhams, TJ Hughes, b&m all long gone with several others judging by the number of empty units. How many town centres have 3 shopping malls?
Stockton has realised this with the demolition of the castlegate
Think reduction in retail space is key for Stockton and they're going the right route. Middlesbrough taking the approach to repurpose retail as well as to attract people to town and enhance night economy is also good.
www.theguardian.com
