York parking charges blamed for putting off customers and tourists

York traders warn high parking costs are hitting city visits

York parking charges blamed for putting off customers and tourists Higher parking charges in York are being blamed by local businesses for putting off customers and tourists, as the council considers proposals to reduce some fees and increase parking discounts for residents. Mark Jones, owner of Cleggs gift shop in Goodramgate, said his shop's turnover fell by almost a third year-on-year after parking charges were increased in April 2025. Traders raise concerns over York parking costs Mr Jones said local customers had told the business they were avoiding the city because of the cost of parking. He also said some tourists had shortened their visits after finding parking too expensive, with some telling the shop they did not intend to return. Parking in central council-run car parks currently costs £5 an hour for the first two hours from Sunday to Thursday, according to the report. A 10% premium applies on Fridays, Saturdays and during events, when the charge rises to £5.50 an hour for the first two hours. The council introduced the higher charges as part of efforts to reduce congestion by encouraging more people to walk, cycle or use public transport. However, York Business Improvement District said a recent review into parking charges supported concerns raised by traders about the impact of higher fees. BID chief executive Andrew Lowson said the review findings confirmed what businesses had consistently told the organisation, with higher parking costs discouraging some people from visiting shopping areas. The review followed a legal challenge over the parking charge increases and examined their impact in areas including Bishopthorpe Road, Heworth, Micklegate and The Groves. The council is now considering proposals that would reduce the cost of Minster Badge parking permits and increase discounts in some community areas. Under the proposals, Minster Badge permits would cost £15 a year instead of £45 for two years, while discounts at selected community car parks and on-street spaces would increase from 30% to 50%. The proposed discounts would cover locations including Bishopthorpe Road, East Parade and Rowntree Park car parks, as well as on-street parking in areas including Micklegate and The Groves. However, the proposed discounts would not apply to council-run car parks in York city centre. BID said businesses understood the need to reduce car use in the long term but argued that this should be introduced alongside incentives for local people to visit at quieter times. The council has also pointed to wider economic factors affecting shopping areas and said its influence over parking is limited because much of the city's parking is privately managed. Meanwhile, figures presented to the council showed Park & Ride passenger numbers increased by 2.5% last year, while cycling levels rose by 6.5%. A wider York Parking Strategy is also due to be discussed, potentially giving the council a broader framework for how parking is managed across the city.