Free car parking will be available on four days a year in Nantwich under a new plan unveiled by Cheshire East Council.
The initiative comes after town councillors and traders campaigned for ‘fairness’ compared to other towns in the borough.
Car park charges in Nantwich are more expensive than any other town in Cheshire East, with some towns still offering it free all year round.
Under a new plan, three car parks in Nantwich – Snow Hill, Civic Hall and Bowling Green – will be part of the initiative.
In a letter to town councils sent by Lorraine Rushton, Cheshire East’s Parking Services Team Leader, it states: “The primary purpose of this incentive is to support our towns and provide a flexible incentive which can be used in the run up to Christmas or spread throughout the year to aid key town events.
“This is in addition to the free parking after 3pm at certain designated car parks within the borough.
“The offer of free parking will be considered on those car parks predominantly used by shoppers.”
Nantwich councillors will need to consult and decide which days the free parking should apply to.
And they will have to feedback to Cheshire East on the success.
The free parking will only start from 10am on the four days “to avoid all the spaces being taken by workers/commuters”.
One idea from Cllr David Marren is to extend the Christmas lights event to four days, starting on Thursday November 23.
The switch-on would take place on the Thursday, with Christmas and Farmers’ markets being held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
And one of the days could be designated as a free parking day, the town council’s finance committee stated.
It was agreed the proposal would be considered further.
Said it before but you get 2 hours of secure parking for a quid. How much time do you need to shop in Nantwich? It’s not Oxford Street.
One pound. Why shouldn’t drivers pay to park on someone else’s land? You’ve probably spent more than £9000 on your car and it costs you more than £3000/year to run it. Meanwhile, car parks have to be maintained and lit. The land (which could be developed) isn’t earning anything.
Come on – it’s about the price of a third of a pint of lager. Good value, I would say. (Oh, and you could always walk into town).
PS. And be careful if you’re planning to park at GJ Retail Park for more than
3 hours! You might get an unpleasant surprise.
Why only 4 days ? The car parks should be free for 365 days of the year .Why can’t Cheshire East see that car park attendants slapping tickets on vehicles either for on street parking or car parks is killing the town ! Just another source of income for CE ,where do they spend all this money ? I can’t find any improvements or the town
Agree. There is a penalty for using the Town that doesn’t exist in places like Grand Junction where larger busineses reside. The car parking penalties of £50 ensure that visitors can not relax and browse or chat leisurely or randomly. The 30 minute restriction causes anxiety and restricted use of the Town completely. There should be free parking at least 3 days a week.
Would it not be more beneficial encouraging local business by allowing 351 free parking days and charge for the remaining 4?
From a more serious point of view why not adopt the system used by the Council in Richmond Surrey? There, local Council Tax payers get a badge that allows them 30 mins free parking at any time when parking restrictions are in force, and, they are allowed to return within one hour at any time during the day!
That’s what you call helping local shoppers and business, not the wonderful gift of four days free parking parking we are being offered by our local representatives!
What a joke why bother do they really think that is going to encourage shoppers in to the town .