Fears For Town Centre Shops If Parking Charges Rise

Car parking charges in Market Harborough are set to rise.

The cost to park for the minimum two hour period would increase by 50p to £1.50, if the plan by is approved by Harborough District Council.

There would be the same rise for up to three and four hours parking in the short-stay car parks, taking the cost to £2 and £3 respectively.

It is four years since charges were last increased and the Council is citing ‘significant financial pressures,’ including a budget gap of over £11.8m over the next four years, for the need to raise charges.

Council Leader Phil King spoke to Hfm:

Market Harborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce say the increase will affect town centre shops, when they are allowed to re-open following the enforced closures because of lockdown.

Chamber spokesperson Caroline George told Hfm with shopping habits changing, it will will put people off shopping in the town centre:

In Market Harborough, a ticket to park for over four hours in short-term car parks would go up for £6 to £7.50 if the tise is approved and in long stay car parks, the charge to park for up to four hours would increase by 50p to £2.50 and from £4 to £5 for over four hours.

Charges would also increase in Lutterworth – the minimum one-hour stay going up from 60p to £1 and 50p increases in other time periods, apart from over four hours, which would rise by £1.

If approved, the increases have the potential of generating an extra £500,000 a year.

The Council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve the increases at a meeting tonight.