News: Free parking set to return to Rotherham town centre
Rotherham Council is again planning to re-introduce free parking on Saturdays to support town centre retailers during the important festive period.
Cabinet member approval is being sought to cover the costs of providing free parking in council owned car parks in Rotherham town centre on six Saturdays from November 17 to December 22 inclusive.
The period between the Christmas lights switch-on event and Christmas Day is the key period for retailers that can ensure the year-round profitability of the business. A poor Christmas trade can have a significant impact on the viability of the business.
If approved £28,000 from the council's Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund will cover the costs. The loss of revenue for each Saturday is estimated at £4,000 and funds will also be used to promote the scheme.
Free parking is only available in RMBC car parks and maximum stay rules would still apply.
In a council report, Tim O'Connell, business & retail investment team manager, said: "One of the key recommendations in the Mary Portas High Street Review was that high streets and town centres should have the flexibility to introduce local parking initiatives to boost trade. This is particularly pertinent to Rotherham, given the proximity to Parkgate and Meadowhall both of which have a free parking offer.
"Rotherham has welcomed a recent upturn in footfall figures and a reduction in shop vacancy rates. This can to some extent be attributed to a number of projects and initiatives aimed at regenerating the town centre, including the Business Vitality Grants Scheme, Shop Local, Public Realm Improvements, the Events and Entertainment Programme, Gallery Town and of course the return of Rotherham United to a stadium in the town.
"Free parking in the run-up to Christmas would complement these projects and initiatives and would provide a further incentive for shoppers to choose Rotherham."
Following similar schemes in previous years, consultation with town centre businesses showed that sixty four per cent of those traders surveyed suggested that trade and footfall had increased with the free Saturday parking scheme.
The 700 space Interchange car park is also set to reopen in time for the festive period after work to replace the access bridge is completed.
Rotherham town centre website
Cabinet member approval is being sought to cover the costs of providing free parking in council owned car parks in Rotherham town centre on six Saturdays from November 17 to December 22 inclusive.
The period between the Christmas lights switch-on event and Christmas Day is the key period for retailers that can ensure the year-round profitability of the business. A poor Christmas trade can have a significant impact on the viability of the business.
If approved £28,000 from the council's Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund will cover the costs. The loss of revenue for each Saturday is estimated at £4,000 and funds will also be used to promote the scheme.
Free parking is only available in RMBC car parks and maximum stay rules would still apply.
In a council report, Tim O'Connell, business & retail investment team manager, said: "One of the key recommendations in the Mary Portas High Street Review was that high streets and town centres should have the flexibility to introduce local parking initiatives to boost trade. This is particularly pertinent to Rotherham, given the proximity to Parkgate and Meadowhall both of which have a free parking offer.
"Rotherham has welcomed a recent upturn in footfall figures and a reduction in shop vacancy rates. This can to some extent be attributed to a number of projects and initiatives aimed at regenerating the town centre, including the Business Vitality Grants Scheme, Shop Local, Public Realm Improvements, the Events and Entertainment Programme, Gallery Town and of course the return of Rotherham United to a stadium in the town.
"Free parking in the run-up to Christmas would complement these projects and initiatives and would provide a further incentive for shoppers to choose Rotherham."
Following similar schemes in previous years, consultation with town centre businesses showed that sixty four per cent of those traders surveyed suggested that trade and footfall had increased with the free Saturday parking scheme.
The 700 space Interchange car park is also set to reopen in time for the festive period after work to replace the access bridge is completed.
Rotherham town centre website
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