Hartlepool council extends free car parking in shopping centre

Parking will be free after 3pm in selected Middleton Grange shopping centre car parks from April.

The centre currently provides free parking after 4pm in its multi-storey, basement and H&M car parks.

It is to be extended by an hour after a review by Hartlepool Borough Council which manages the spaces.

The decision comes as the council is due to introduce charges for the first time at Seaton Carew.

It aims to entice parents on the school run to visit the centre more in the afternoons.

Shopping centre manager Mark Rycraft said: “The request came about from feedback I had received from our retailers and this is a good example of the local authority listening to the needs of local retailers to improve trade.

“We get a lot of parents who pick their kids up from school and we hope they will take this opportunity to visit the shopping centre and support local retail.”

The free parking extension will result in a loss of £20,000 in revenue to the council.

But it is hoped the move will be reflected in increased spending in the centre.

At a council meeting where the decision was made, Mr Rycraft quoted one retailer who said free car parking over Christmas had a significant effect on takings.

The shopping centre had asked the council to consider making parking ‘free after three’ for all of its car parks for consistency.

The Neighbourhood Services Committee decided not to extend it to the Waldon Street car park as it is also used by visitors to the One Life Hartlepool medical centre, and businesses in Park Road and York Road.

Chair of the committee, Councillor Marjorie James said she was happy to review the arrangements at a later point.

Coun Dave Hunter added: “I think families across town will welcome it. I think it is a real positive statement by the council.”

New Middleton Grange parking tariffs are also due to be introduced soon, replacing the 70p an hour rate with £1 for two hours.

Mr Rycraft added: “A lot of our customers were clock watching. I think what the one hour tariff will do is give people a more relaxing shopping experience without having to worry about the car getting a ticket.”

Hartlepool council manages over 2,000 parking spaces mostly within the town centre.

Parking charges and fines raised £1,335,000 for the authority in 2015/16.