Council in free parking move to drive up trade

Rochdale Borough Council is set to introduce three hours free parking in all town centre car parks from April next year to help boost business. The move will mean residents and visitors can enjoy free parking at any time for three hours when parking after 10am in town centre car parks. The changes will come into force after 1 April next year and will affect Rochdale and Middleton, as Heywood town centre car parks are already free. Retailers today welcomed the move. Phil Buckley, Manager of Denis Hope on Drake Street, said: “This is fantastic news for the borough and something retailers have been hoping would happen for a long time. It’s really inconvenient for people to make sure they have the right change when they’re popping into town for about 20 minutes. This is a real positive for the town and could attract new business and investment.”   Duncan Harrison, Assistant Manager of Beale’s Department Store, said: “Parking prices are an issue in all town centres and are one of the things that discourages people from shopping locally.  This is a really positive move and will help bring more people into the town centre.” The changes, which will apply in all town centre council car parks in the borough and include on street pay and display parking areas, will help give the High Street a much needed boost. Councillor Richard Farnell, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: ““The high cost of parking is one of the things killing our local high streets. The council’s priority is to support and encourage businesses as much as we can and free parking is something we know will make a big difference. Successful businesses create thriving town centres and bring much needed jobs, and that’s we really need here in Rochdale.” Rochdale MP, Simon Danczuk, said: "I've long recognised that car parking charges are a barrier stopping people coming in to our town centre and that's why I'm really pleased to see the council taking this course of action. Even though they're operating under very tight financial constraints due to Government cuts, the council is doing all it can to support traders and help the town centre."   And visitors will have plenty of choice about where to park following the opening of the new 200 space car park on the former bus station site in Rochdale. Resident Alexandra Cooper (21) from Rochdale said: “I usually only come in a couple of times a month for things like the bank but this would encourage me to come in more often. The current free after 3pm is too late to come in and go shopping.” Elizabeth Baker, also from Rochdale, said: “I come in once or twice a week for a mooch around and think this is a good policy by the Council. They should be encouraging people to come in to town.” The full list of sites included in the scheme is:   Off street On street Back Oldham Road  High Street Whitworth Road (Dunhelm) Church Lane Eastgate Reed Hill Upper Broadfield Lower Broadfield Town Hall Square Yorkshire Street Greenwood Street Upper Penn Street Lower Penn Street Baillie Street Milton Street East Milton Street West River Street   Middleton Archer Limetrees Chapel Street East View Market Place Esplanade Oldham Road Drake Street St Mary’s Gate Fleece Street Nelson Street King Street Church Lane (inner) Church Lane (outer) South Lane Hunter’s Lane Cheetham Street Yorkshire Street Newgate Whitehall Street Water Street

05 Dec 2014