A FREE car parking initiative in Tameside appears to be having the desired impact so far.
Tameside Council says use of its car parks in the borough’s towns has soared by 40 per cent since free parking was introduced for two hours.
According to the local authority, there were 94,265 car park visits in the first four weeks of the scheme – compared to 67,329 in the previous four weeks.
Two hours free parking is available from Monday to Saturday before 6pm across all council-run car parks – including at Tameside Hospital and Denton’s Tameside Wellness Centre. Motorists are reminded they still need to get and display a valid ticket.
Town hall bosses introduced the idea in the hope of making it easier and more convenient for people to visit and shop in the borough’s town centres, and use local services.
It has led to traders in Ashton-under-Lyne reporting that they have been busier and have seen more customers since it launched on June 9.
‘Anything like this helps’
Rob Williams, manager of Williams Deli, said: “We’re seeing a lot more footfall – especially for the school holidays, when we would expect to be quieter.
“I often hear customers commenting that it is a lot easier to shop in the market and town centre now they can park for free – it’s definitely making a big difference. They can spend more time now having a browse, they can even stop for a brew.”
Joel Pearson, of Pearsons Butchers, commented: “It’s definitely a lot busier – especially in the mornings and we’ve seen an increase in transactions. The two hours free parking is helping us to compete with supermarkets – it’s now as easy and convenient for people to come to the town centre and the market as it is a supermarket and many people are taking up the opportunity.”
Warren Hartfield, owner of Sea King fish stall, added: “It’s busier and we’ve had good feedback from customers. Anything like this helps. They have another incentive now to shop local and spend more time looking around, seeing what’s on offer.”
‘Car park usage is increasing week on week’
Councillor Stephen Homer, Executive Member for Towns, Transport and Connectivity, led a review into the council’s car parking provision after controversial hikes in charges in September 2023 – from £1 to £3.50 for three hours in some car parks – sparked fury among car park users and traders.
“It’s fantastic to see our car parks are now much busier, meaning more people are visiting our town centres more often,” said Cllr Homer, who represents the Mossley ward.
“I’m especially pleased traders are saying they are busier and have seen a big difference. This is exactly what we wanted – to make it easier for people to use our town centres and local services as part of their day to day activities and shopping and leisure habits, supporting businesses and helping our town centres to thrive.
“We listened to feedback and we responded, underlining our commitment to supporting residents and businesses. The offer is among the very cheapest in Greater Manchester, making Tameside a very competitive place to visit, shop and do business.
“We’re seeing car park usage increase week on week and, while we know there’s further work to do to support town centres, this is a huge step in the right direction as we crack on with our major plans to redevelop and revitalise Tameside’s towns, helping them to transform and prosper in changing times.”