Swindon Parking Plan Shifts: Council Backtracks on Old Town Charges Amid Business Outcry
Proposed changes to parking tariffs in Swindon’s town centre and historic Old Town are undergoing a significant rethink following intense criticism from local traders. The revised plans, set for debate by the full council on February 26, aim to restructure charges to favour longer stays—a move that inadvertently penalises the short, frequent visits that many independent businesses rely upon.
A Costly First Hour for Pop-In Shoppers
The core of the controversy centres on the first-hour charge in Old Town car parks. The original proposal would have hiked this fee from its longstanding rate to £2.50. After a swift backlash from businesses fearing it would deter customers, the local authority reversed course. The new proposed rate for the first hour is £1.70—still a 70% increase from the previous price, which had only risen by 10p over 18 years, according to Councillor Chris Watts, cabinet member for environment and transport.
While some saw the reduction as a welcome, if limited, victory, many traders argued any increase creates friction. “Even £1.70 is a lot, when people just want to get a coffee, or get out of the house for an hour or so,” said Wanda Hawkins, owner of The Pantry on Wood Street. She advocated for a full first hour free, followed by charging thereafter.
The second-hour rate presents a starker contrast, jumping from £1.20 to £3.00, further skewing the tariff structure towards longer stays. This directly conflicts with the operational reality of many Old Town businesses. “For independent businesses, it’s about frequency. You need people popping in regularly,” explained Kris Talikowski, Chair of the Old Town Business Association. “The question is whether it’s better to have more customers paying a little less, or fewer customers paying more.”
Businesses Call for Pop-In Parking, Not Penalties
The consensus among surveyed traders is that the majority of Old Town’s car parks are designated short-stay, yet the new model financially discourages exactly that behaviour. Charlotte Phipps of The Flower Pot summed up a popular suggestion: “I think the council would do much better if they introduced 30-minute free parking. It would encourage people to come up to Old Town, and support local businesses.”
Ms. Hawkins was more blunt about the council’s initial misstep and partial fix, calling the backtrack a “waste of time.” She highlighted the vulnerability of older residents on fixed incomes and the broader struggle of local shops: “Look at all these businesses, we are all struggling.”
Alan Saunders of Magnum Wine took a marginally more optimistic view, welcoming the council’s willingness to compromise but noting, “It would be lovely to have free 30-minute/one hour parking, but I can see the council wouldn’t necessarily like that.”
Council Proposes Compromise: Free 20-Minute Bays
Responding to the specific need for “pop-in” access, Councillor Watts detailed a mitigation package. “To assist with the pop-in culture that businesses rely on… we are also proposing to create 18 additional free to use 20-minute spaces in the High Street and Hoopers Place,” he stated. This would supplement the existing 32 spaces charging 50p for 20 minutes on Wood Street and Market Place.
The council’s calculation is that these measures, combined with the 90 minutes of free parking offered at the Co-op supermarket, would provide approximately 1,000 free or low-cost “pop-in” parking units daily in Old Town. Furthermore, the council is exploring operational tweaks requested by the Old Town Business Association, such as increasing evening prices and removing four-hour limits on certain car parks to increase turnover. “We are happy to consider these requests… as they are operational matters,” Cllr Watts confirmed.
Broader Town Centre Concerns and Regeneration Risks
The parking debate extends into Swindon’s main town centre, where fears of pricing out shoppers are mounting. Laura Sackett, manager of the Brunel Shopping Centre, expressed strong opposition: “I am pretty furious about the parking charges. Yet again, we risk making the town centre too expensive to park.”
Laura James, Chair of the Shadow Swindon BID Board and Director of Swindon Theatres, linked parking policy directly to wider regeneration goals. “We all support the ambition to strengthen the town centre. But accessibility is critical,” she said. “If parking becomes a barrier, particularly for short visits and evening events, that could undermine footfall.”
The council maintains that the tariff adjustments are necessary to reflect modern costs and manage demand. However, the unified message from the business community is clear: the economic health of both Old Town and the wider centre depends on facilitating, not hindering, the short, spontaneous visits that form the bedrock of their trade. The final decision now rests with the elected members on February 26.
Image Credit: www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk
