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Labour Leader of Darlington Borough Council Steve Harker announced on Thursday (June 8) that car parking charges for all council-run short and long stay car parks will be re-introduced from Monday, July 3.
Cllr Harker blamed the divisive decision on funding, and said there was “no provision” put in place to continue the offer in the council’s budget that was approved earlier this year.
The majority of the people we spoke to were very much against the scrapping of the two-hour free parking scheme.
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Jasmin Robson, owner and manager of Hatch on Blackwellgate was disappointed about the scheme ending, but didn’t think it would affect business on a whole too much.
Ms Robson said: “I do think it’s a shame but personally I’m happy for the council to spend that money on other things like social care.
“It’s not like we always had two hours free parking and now it’s suddenly different, it only started a couple of years ago. I still think people have plenty of reasons to shop in Darlington and I think that money can be spent in better ways.”
Darlington mother, Amy Louise Love, said: “To hear that the council are reintroducing car parking charges for the first two hours of parking has certainly been bad news for me.
“No longer will I have time to pop into CuriosiTeas for an hour for a play and a bite to eat after Hartbeeps, or a quick trip to the indoor market for some curd and eggs, as I’ll be rushing back to the car within my paid hour.
“Unfortunately, however, in a cost-of-living crisis, decisions will have to be made by people whether they can afford the extra money to park, as all these quick visits add up.
“I understand that the council can use this as a revenue stream, and doesn’t want to subsidise it. However, I fear that businesses are going to lose out – I know that I certainly won’t be visiting for as long or as often as I do now.”
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Lily Ho, who runs Betty’s Boudoir on Blackwellgate thought the end of the free parking would result in a loss in footfall.
Mrs Ho said: “We are really disappointed to hear the council have chosen to end the two-hour free parking in Darlington as we know a lot of our existing customers take advantage of this offer in the car parks around us.
“As our shop is situated en route to and from on of the main car parks currently involved in the scheme, we feel once this ends people may choose to park in an alternative cheaper car park and decreasing our footfall and passing trade, or even not choose to shop in Darlington altogether and head to an out of town shopping destination where parking is free all day.”
Megan Robson, who lives in Darlington and works and Betty’s Boudoir, also thinks scrapping the free parking is a bad move.
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She said: “I think it’s short-sighted. We’ve got that many empty shop units as it is so stopping the free parking will discourage people from coming into town. We get a lot of customers here who come from outside Darlington, especially from Yorkshire, and I think it’ll make them think twice about coming to Darlington.”
Jessika Morgan, who runs MoKa Beauty which is located in the Eco Hair Salon on Duke Street also thought this news could spell disaster.
Miss Morgan said: “Lots of my clients use the free two-hour parking in the town centre for their appointments, and it has definitely helped me get new clients.
“Losing the two free hours would definitely have a negative impact on my business, as it wouldn’t draw as many people into the town centre.
“It’s small things like free parking that boost small businesses like MoKa and the council should recognise that.”
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Husband and wife team, Alex and Jeanette MacMurray from Maggie’s on Duke Street, were not impressed by the council’s decision either.
Mr MacMurray said: “It will affect us massively, and I also think it will affect the events planned in the town. I think it’s too soon after the pandemic to stop the free parking, and it’ll mean the decline of the town centre.”
Mrs MacMurray said: “The town centre through the week is absolutely dead as it is so stopping the free two-hour parking is a terrible idea.”
Veronika Lazarova, who runs The Pasta Shop on Woodland Road said: “It probably won’t affect our business that much because we’re a little outside the centre.
“Personally, I always park outside the centre and walk anyway. I think scrapping the free parking will hopefully encourage people to walk more.”
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