End to free parking sees town footfall drop

Darlington's council says while visitor numbers are down, length of stays is up

A council has been urged to bring back free town centre parking after a drop in visitor numbers.

The scheme, which operated in Darlington after 14:00, was discontinued in July last year as the Labour and Liberal Democrat-run local authority said it was unsustainable.

Data from July 2023 to March this year showed average monthly footfall of just over 1.1 million - down by more than 97,000 per month from a year earlier.

Conservative critics say firms have suffered as a result, but Labour argue people are staying in the town centre for longer periods of time.

'Wake up'

Conservative councillor Jonathan Dulston, who represents the Eastbourne ward, said: "Since the council scrapped this offer, we have seen businesses close, footfall decline and a council with absolutely no plan to save our town centre.

"My message is clear – wake up, listen and accept you got this one wrong. Bring back free car parking and give our small businesses a fighting chance."

Shoppers who recently spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service said the charges had stopped them from visiting as frequently with retail parks more convenient.

Jean Bowman said: "If you are to go into town for shopping, you have to pay for parking before you go shop and it's impossible to know how long you will be there for.

"That means you're either rushing your shopping to get back in time or having to pay for extra time you don't use."

'Fantastic job'

However, council leader Stephen Harker, of Labour, accused Dulston of being "simply wrong – and the data shows he is wrong".

"His false claims will only damage our town centre.

"Footfall data is only part of the picture. Importantly, it doesn't tell us how long people stay each time they visit."

He added that visitors were coming less frequently but spending longer in the town centre.