Free parking extended in Basildon to beat recession (From Echo)

Free parking extended in Basildon to beat recession

7:50am Tuesday 9th February 2010 in

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FREE parking in Basildon, Wickford and Billericay shopping centres will be extended for a year.

The recession-busting move was welcomed by shoppers and traders, who say it will help local stores compete with Lakeside and Bluewater retail parks where vehicles park for nothing.

Basildon Council introduced the scheme for its town centre car parks last April, which means shoppers can park for free from 6pm on Fridays to 8am on Mondays.

The local authority is now extending this until April next year.

Cec Norton, 60, from family-run flooring business Maplefords, in High Street, Wickford, said: “There has been a vast upturn in our Saturday trade since the free weekend parking was brought in.

“I am delighted the council is going to extend this scheme. Anything that helps bring business into our towns is very welcome.”

Trevor Draper, 49, chairman of Billericay Chamber of Commerce, agreed the extension was good for traders while calling for more long-term parking spaces for people who work there.

He said: “I am happy the council believes free parking is the way forward for encouraging more shoppers into Billericay.

“However, we need more long term parking spaces where people who work in the shops, bars and restaurants can leave their cars.

“Otherwise there is a concern they will take up a lot of the free spaces, which won’t leave enough room for shoppers who only want to park for a few hours.”

Malcolm Buckley, the council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “I am delighted we are able to continue the free weekend parking. This will help not only shop owners, but all residents and visitors to the district.”

Joanne Cooper, owner of Lipleys, in the Ladygate Centre, Wickford, said: “It’s been much better with the free parking.

“Over the last year we’ve had a lot more customers coming in on Saturdays, so its made a big difference.

“It used to be free from 2.30pm on Saturdays so everyone was more careful with time, but now they don't have to worry as much.

“It can really get packed in the car park at the weekends now.”

Mehmet Mehmet, a worker at the Touch of Class dry cleaners, in the Ladygate Centre, Wickford, added: “It’s a good idea. You used to get people who had only put £1 in the meter and run in for just two minutes.

“It is difficult to say how much busier it is overall because Saturday is always one of our busiest days.”