Can 90 Minutes of Free Parking Really Revive UK High Streets?

Free Parking Experiment Puts UK High Streets in the Spotlight

Can 90 Minutes of Free Parking Really Revive UK High Streets? A 90-minute free parking scheme in Christchurch, Dorset, is being credited by local traders and shoppers with helping bring more activity back to the town centre, prompting calls for councils elsewhere in England to consider similar measures. More than a year ago, Christchurch Town Council acquired a car park next to Waitrose and leased it to the supermarket. Shoppers can now park there free for 90 minutes, whether or not they visit the store. The council hoped the arrangement would help tackle some of the challenges facing the high street, including competition from online shopping and empty retail premises. Local mayor Maggie Fidler said the agreement allows the council to facilitate free parking without additional ongoing costs. Could free parking increase high-street footfall? Local businesses say they have noticed a difference since the scheme began. The town has seen new businesses open, while some existing traders say they have greater confidence about their future. Gary Cottrell, owner of Carter's Cobblers, said the free parking had helped tremendously. He also highlighted the fact that drivers do not need to use a parking app, particularly useful in Christchurch where he says mobile internet can be a problem. The experience has also been welcomed by shoppers. Retired teacher Judy Williams said she and her husband make use of the free parking and try to visit several shops when they come into the town. The Christchurch experiment has now become part of a wider debate about whether parking charges are discouraging people from visiting traditional town centres. In July, a Parliamentary petition was launched calling for a law requiring local authorities in England to provide at least 90 minutes of free parking in town and city centres. The petition was created by Spring & Autumn Fair and had attracted more than 5,000 signatures at the time of the report. Campaigners argue that parking is not the only issue affecting high streets, but say it is one of the easier barriers to remove. Research cited in the report found that almost two-thirds of consumers said free parking would encourage them to visit their local high street more often. Retailers also identified parking as an important issue. According to the research cited, 38 per cent said free parking would have the biggest positive impact on their businesses compared with other measures included in the survey. Parking charges versus the future of town centres The debate is complicated by the amount councils receive from parking. Analysis by the RAC Foundation found that councils in England made almost £1.1 billion from parking in 2024-25. Supporters of free parking argue that reducing charges could make town centres more accessible and encourage visitors to stay longer. Others point out that councils rely on parking income to help fund services, including public transport. There are also questions about whether encouraging more car journeys fits with efforts to promote walking and cycling in town centres. Free parking alone is unlikely to solve the wider problems facing high-street retailers, including business rates, rents and employment costs. Not everyone in Christchurch believes free parking is the answer either. Shopper Ann Parsley said there were too many empty shops and argued that attractive businesses need to be available before parking becomes the priority. Another issue is parking availability itself. Margaret Watkins said the free car park can become so busy that drivers end up driving around looking for a space. That highlights an important point for drivers and town centres alike: making parking cheaper can encourage people to visit, but there still needs to be enough convenient parking available when they arrive. For drivers planning a trip into a busy town centre, knowing where spaces are available before setting off can make the journey easier. Services such as EveryonesParking can help drivers find and book parking spaces where available, particularly when traditional car parks are busy or limited. The Christchurch scheme does not prove that 90 minutes of free parking alone can reverse years of high-street decline, but it has added fresh evidence to the debate over how parking policy can affect the way people use town centres.