Town centre parking Trading spaces Even before the recent escalation of coronavirus led to quieter towns and cities, many of our high streets were facing tough times. Parking charges are often cited as a major reason for the UKs declining town centres, but is that a simplistic view of a very complex landscape? Sarah Juggins goes in search of the role parking can play in the state of our high streets L ife has taken an unprecedented turn over the past few weeks. Families, social groups, sports clubs, care homes and businesses have faced difficult decisions about whether to close their doors to loved ones, supporters and customers to limit the spread of Covid-19. For small businesses, making ends meet just got a whole lot harder. As local communities rally to support those in need and deal with the situation, what is the longer-term view for parking in our town centres? Elements of the media often use highly emotive and simplistic terminology to explain the perception that there is a decline in the number of people visiting town centres across the UK, with headlines such as Parking charges are crippling the high street. That particular headline, published in the online version of the Daily Express, was in response to a study by the RAC Foundation, which found that local authorities income from parking charges and fines was rising year on year from 658m in 2014 to 913m in 2019. It also found that 278 of 343 local authorities expected to make a surplus from parking in the 2019-20 financial year. Headline news Attention-grabbing headlines are one thing but what exactly is the story here? If such surpluses are being generated, it is hardly a sign that visitors are avoiding the high street. The pertinent questions for parking providers in town centres are: Is there a point at which motorists will avoid town centres because of the high cost of parking? 16 britishparking.co.uk PN Apr20 pp16-19 Lead Feature.indd 16 24/03/2020 14:10