Parking fees cut to boost footfall after lockdown

Council forking out £50k on weekly gesture

Cut-price parking and free park and ride is being offered by the city council in a bid to boost post-lockdown trade. Starting today (Thursday) and then every Thursday until July 8, it will cost drivers just £2 to park from 2pm until 7.30pm in most of the district’s camera-controlled sites. Council bosses are also making it free to use park and ride, including Wincheap, on the last Sunday of the month from May 30 until September 26.

The incentive, which is costing the authority £50,000 in lost revenue and other costs, will be available at all the ANPR sites in Canterbury except Watling Street and Queningate.

It will also apply to Middle Wall car park in Whitstable and William Street site in Herne

Bay.

Lead councillor for parking Cllr Barbara Anne Flack said: “We all know the road to recovery following the pandemic is going to be tough both for businesses and the council’s finances so we need to strike a fine balance and do all we can to bring people back to our city and town centres. “We’ve worked closely with the business community to pull together a £50,000 package to entice people back into our shops, hospitality businesses and attractions. “Hopefully those taking advantage of the discounts will get a taste of what they have been missing over lockdown and we will attract more people to stay later into the evening. “We realise many people will call for dramatic cuts to parking charges to boost businesses and contrast the cost with free parking elsewhere in the county. “However, people need to remember parking charges help us pay for the vital frontline services we deliver to our residents.”

The incentive has been welcomed by Canterbury BID boss Lisa Carlson, who says she had been lobbying the council “incredibly hard” to recognise the challenges faced both by the city’s businesses and their customers.

“We’re really pleased they have listened and responded in the best way they can,” she said.