Free Saturday parking could have “drastic consequences” for private car parks

Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre

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Free Saturday car parking will start tomorrow (Saturday 6 August 2010) on all council owned car parks in Rochdale.

At a cabinet meeting where the decision was rubber stamped Council Leaders explained that the free parking on a Saturday would run on a sixth months basis in a bid to increase the number of shoppers visiting Rochdale.

However, as the free car parking is implemented the owners of private car parks are likely to suffer.

Rochdale Online reporter Laura Wild contacted the bosses of Rochdale’s two shopping centres, which both have multi storey car parks, to find out what they think about the decision.

Lorenzo O’Reilly, the Exchange Shopping Centre Manager said: “I am extremely concerned about the misguided decision to introduce free parking on a Saturday.

“The free after three parking hasn’t increased trade – and that is a general consensus.
“We have seen a drop off on our car parks from 3pm during the week which has impacted on the revenue that the car park needs to generate to cover the operating costs. I think this latest decision needs to be reconsidered, if not we will have to make a radical decision with regards to our car parking.

“The Exchange car park currently offers the largest secure parking area in the town centre. However, the operating costs for a car park of this size are considerable and the income generated from the parking charges are currently just covering the cost of its operation. Any further reduction in the income generated would mean the car park was losing money. This could have drastic consequences for the future of the car park. Council officers have been made aware of this issue but have still pushed ahead with plans that could jeopardise its future.”

Martin Ballard, Manager of the Wheatsheaf Centre echoed these thoughts, he said: “Whilst the offer is a great saver for people visiting the town it’s hard to see how it will have a massive impact on the businesses within the town already; the focus needs to be on improving the retail offer and strengthening the offer within the high street and town centre - and only then draw people into town with secondary offers such as free parking. With a weakening retail offer, new visitors may only visit once for the free parking incentive and not come again - then we have missed an opportunity.

Mr. Ballard added: “With the hundreds of thousands that is being invested into the free parking projects, its hard to see what real benefit it will give us if the offer isn’t strengthened ahead of time – it will be well received by businesses as a gimmick to attract people in, but I don’t see the free parking scheme on a Saturday as being a sustainable visitor generator.

“It may have been better invested in rates incentives for new businesses or additional events, such as the Feel Good Festival that showcase the town exceptionally well, or a whole manner of ideas rather than one that will improve the usage of the council car parking spaces to the detriment of the two private car parks within the town and ultimately put their businesses in jeopardy.”

Councillor Keith Swift, Cabinet Member for Skills and Economic Recovery, said: “The free after three parking proved to be a success and footfall in the town increased and it was a benefit to all traders in the town.

“From the reaction we have already had from the general public it is looking as though the free Saturday parking will as equal a success.”

Councillor Swift added: “When nearby towns are expanding shopping offers Rochdale really has to hit back and provide a viable alternative and perhaps in time the owners of private car parks will review their parking charges which would only improve the shopping experience in Rochdale.”