Great BBC Breakfast article on Town centre car parking

Darcydog · 18th July 2015, 06:28

Watching an interesting article now. Cardigan had all its car park ticket machines vandalised such that it has had free parking for the last month.

Result?

Huge increase in turnover and footfall for the town.

Only thing that made me laugh about the article was that the very idea was treated as some sort of revelation and the question "would free parking help the High Streets of the UK?" posed as though the very idea was so odd.

Now I hate mindless vandalism.

But maybe - just maybe ........ taking out Town Centre car park ticket machines is not that mindless?

AURORA MG · 18th July 2015, 09:44

Strange how they all got vandalised, could that not be some sort of sabotage I wonder?
Interesting though that footfall increased!

MrDoodles · 18th July 2015, 09:48

It's not rocket science though, is it!

If you declare war on the motorist (as most Councils have done) they will simply shop elsewhere!

We have all the hand wringers wondering why the "High Street is dying" and as can be proven by this one example, stop using the Motorist (which they seen unable to distinguish, is actually a "shopper") as a "cash cow" and they will return to the High Streets, which long term gives the Councils increased revenue, as all the shops are occupied and paying rent and rates!

Darcydog · 18th July 2015, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDoodles

It's not rocket science though, is it!

If you declare war on the motorist (as most Councils have done) they will simply shop elsewhere!

We have all the hand wringers wondering why the "High Street is dying" and as can be proven by this one example, stop using the Motorist (which they seen unable to distinguish, is actually a "shopper") as a "cash cow" and they will return to the High Streets, which long term gives the Councils increased revenue, as all the shops are occupied and paying rent and rates!

Why is it - that we can all see this - it is so obvious - that those that are destroying our High Street Shopping centres are those that like to think they are in charge of it?

Salisbury is a classic example. You go into Salisbury and it is dead. Many shops boarded up and a lot of those that aren't are Charity Shops.

And yet those that pushed the car parking charges up to £9 a day also habitually grant planning permission for out of town shopping centres.

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/ne..._to___9_a_day/

macafee2 · 18th July 2015, 11:33

are we sure it is the fact that people have to pay to park or is it the amount they have to pay to park that is the problem?

macafee2

itchyfeet · 18th July 2015, 11:39

I don't even bother going into town anymore as the parking is so expensive and cars are bunged together. Last time was 2 years ago and they wanted £9.60 for less than 2hrs 20mins.
Big shopping malls with free parking all around the place. So we go there.

One other thing. At our University, they make us pay to park now. Probably have to pay to walk next. Pay to breath.

RayH · 18th July 2015, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darcydog

Watching an interesting article now. Cardigan had all its car park ticket machines vandalised such that it has had free parking for the last month.

They have a bit of a reputation for being "cautious" with their money do our Cardies

I'm sure certain people on here can verify that

18th July 2015, 06:28	#1
Darcydog This is my second home Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 5,428 Thanks: 3,123 Thanked 3,170 Times in 2,096 Posts	Great BBC Breakfast article on Town centre car parking Watching an interesting article now. Cardigan had all its car park ticket machines vandalised such that it has had free parking for the last month. Result? Huge increase in turnover and footfall for the town. Only thing that made me laugh about the article was that the very idea was treated as some sort of revelation and the question "would free parking help the High Streets of the UK?" posed as though the very idea was so odd. Now I hate mindless vandalism. But maybe - just maybe ........ taking out Town Centre car park ticket machines is not that mindless? Last edited by Dragrad; 18th July 2015 at 21:28.. Reason: Post amended to put in the correct town ;-)

18th July 2015, 09:44	#2
AURORA MG Banned (EX)-ZT-T190SE in Aurora. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Medway Posts: 2,954 Thanks: 42 Thanked 53 Times in 46 Posts	Strange how they all got vandalised, could that not be some sort of sabotage I wonder? Interesting though that footfall increased!

18th July 2015, 09:48	#3
MrDoodles Banned MG ZT+ V6 190 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Spalding Posts: 13,245 Thanks: 369 Thanked 1,196 Times in 818 Posts	It's not rocket science though, is it! If you declare war on the motorist (as most Councils have done) they will simply shop elsewhere! We have all the hand wringers wondering why the "High Street is dying" and as can be proven by this one example, stop using the Motorist (which they seen unable to distinguish, is actually a "shopper") as a "cash cow" and they will return to the High Streets, which long term gives the Councils increased revenue, as all the shops are occupied and paying rent and rates!

18th July 2015, 11:33	#5
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 15,009 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	are we sure it is the fact that people have to pay to park or is it the amount they have to pay to park that is the problem? macafee2

18th July 2015, 11:39	#6
itchyfeet Loves to post MG ZT+ CDTi Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: N.Ireland Posts: 475 Thanks: 81 Thanked 72 Times in 58 Posts	I don't even bother going into town anymore as the parking is so expensive and cars are bunged together. Last time was 2 years ago and they wanted £9.60 for less than 2hrs 20mins. Big shopping malls with free parking all around the place. So we go there. One other thing. At our University, they make us pay to park now. Probably have to pay to walk next. Pay to breath.