Cornwall's night-time economy will 'suffer' amid parking changes

Cornwall Council plans a new zonal system for tariffs for 135 car parks

Cornwall's night-time economy will "suffer" when free evening parking ends in some of the county's busiest car parks, a councillor warns.

Cornwall Council plans a new zonal system for tariffs for 135 car parks.

Loic Rich, Independent councillor for the Tregolls division in Truro, said new evening tariffs meant night-time businesses "could really suffer".

But councillor Connor Donnithorne, portfolio holder for transport, disputed the claims.

At a meeting of the full council on Tuesday, Mr Rich said "a lot of restaurants and night-time businesses could really suffer" and "it's a really significant boost for town centres to have that free parking in the evening".

"A couple of pounds does add a lot to a meal or a drink - it will put people off."

The comments come after it was announced new evening parking charges were being reduced from £2.50 to £2 following a public consultation.

Free evening parking, between 18:00 and midnight, will now be £2 in Zone A

Mr Donnithorne said: "I've always said we'll keep this under review, but I don't think a £2 parking charge is going to put a significant number of people off going into our local communities."

The scheme means pay and display and pay-on-foot car parks will still be grouped into three "zones" from the end of May.

These are Zone A (the busiest areas which are well served by public transport and walking and cycle routes), Zone B and Zone C.

Free evening parking, between 18:00 and midnight, will now be £2 in Zone A.

Areas featuring Zone A car parks include Truro, Bude, Fowey, Hayle, Polzeath, Widemouth Bay, Marazion, Looe, Padstow, Perranporth, Polzeath, Port Isaac and Seaton.