FREE PARKING
We take free parking for granted at Supermarkets, Outlets, Garden Centres and Cinemas to name but four places we routinely visit.
It is a fact that we would be less likely to visit there if we were charged for doing so. The Mayor of Doncaster knows this. That is why she has authorised free parking this Christmas as she has done in previous years.
Free parking will stimulate trade. More footfall. More customers. More sales. It’s pretty easy to get the concept. It’s simple common sense. It’s why free parking is offered by shops and businesses that want your trade.
The shops and businesses like it as it keeps them afloat. We like it because it gives us more choice and it’s free. It’s a win win all round. So why doesn’t the Mayor make it free parking all year round. Why restrict it to 3 car parks and only from 2 pm?
She says it’s because it generates £1.5 million for the Council. This is against a total income of £570 million. In percentage terms 0.263%. So given that she appreciates that free parking does work for the local economy, it falls to reason that the benefit to the economy of free parking all year round would be less than £1.5 million. Otherwise it makes no sense.
We are seeing a decline in footfall to our town centre. That means we are also seeing a decline in sales. This is evidenced by shops and businesses closing down either permanently or relocating elsewhere. A good example is the Market and Frenchgate shopping centre.
She together with the Mayor of South Yorkshire holds devolved powers from government. These include the regeneration of the local economy. Surely any Mayor would do their best to protect what we have and then strengthen it? I know a Conservative Mayor would do so.
There are so many things that should be done to protect and revive our town/city centre. See my post on this here: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0KXa64ac74x1MKtsbhtJtg…
One of them is free parking. It works for other places. It will work for Doncaster. It’s not that we want it. We need it. It’s never been more necessary than now for it to happen.
The details of the free parking on offer this Christmas can be found in the words below quoted from the Council’s post on this issue.
“Don't forget, during the festive season, Doncaster Council is supporting the City Centre by offering free parking which will be available until Friday 5th January from 2pm at:
🚗Markets Car Park
🚗St Georges Car Park
🚗Colonnades Underground Car Park
They are also offering every Saturday in December free all day parking at Chappell Drive Car Park.
Just a reminder that council-run car parks and on-street pay and display areas continue to be free on Sundays.
Full info👉 https://bit.ly/3N0HplF”
Let’s hope the Mayor sees sense. The elections for Mayor can’t come soon enough if Doncaster is to be saved from this spiral of decline and the #decadesofneglect it has suffered and continues to suffer from this Labour controlled council.
