Will free parking help Rochdale town centre?

Greg Couzens

Rochdale High Street Foundation deputy chairman Greg Couzens appeared on the BBC Breakfast show this morning (Tuesday 19 March) campaigning for free parking in town centres.

When he was a Liberal Democrat Councillor, Mr Couzens opposed the free Saturday parking initiative but says now is the right time to introduce free parking.

Free parking will resonate well with local shoppers who are heartily fed up of being chased by over zealous traffic wardens; Mr Couzens, echoing the thoughts of Government Minister Eric Pickles, believes traffic wardens are chasing shoppers out of town centres.

Mr Couzens conversion to carte blanche free parking has sparked a heated debate with Paul Turner-Mitchell, former chairman of the Rochdale High Street Foundation and owner of 25Ten Boutique.

Mr Turner-Mitchell questions whether free parking would do anything to attract more shoppers to Rochdale town centre. He says: "During 2012/13 the Council spent £383,000 on free parking. Worthwhile investment? No. Look at the town now. Terrible."

Mr Couzens cites free parking as fundamental to the success of out of town shopping centres such as the Trafford Centre. He said: "When you shop at the Trafford Centre, do you worry about traffic wardens giving you a ticket... no."

Mr Turner-Mitchell suggests Mr Couzens should read 'The relevance of parking in the success of urban centres report', he says the cost of parking is not the top priority of shoppers when choosing their destination. He says it matters not if parking is free or shoppers have to pay £1.40 to park if there are not decent shops and leisure facilities in town because people will go elsewhere. He said: "A good mix of shops and services and a quality environment are some of the most important factors in attracting visitors."

Mr Couzens says Mr Turner-Mitchell should stop thinking of "parking as an income", to which Mr Turner-Mitchell, referring to Mr Couzens time as the councillor in charge of Rochdale Council finance portfolio, retorted: "Well you did when you were in charge of finance. Nearly £1million in Rochdale on free parking and the town is dying."

What do you think - will free parking help attract shoppers back to Rochdale Town Centre?

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