Free parking “has made a difference to town centre trade”

As free parking on a Saturday continues through the summer at Church Street Car Park, the signs are positive that it is making a difference.

During a report from Wendy Lewis, the Manager of the Welshpool Information Centre, at the recent Events and Planning Committee meeting for the Town Council, the question was asked by Cllr Morag Bailey whether it has made an impact after being launched for six months back in April.

“It hasn’t made a different to the Welshpool Information Centre, but it has made a difference to the town itself, definitely,” she said.

“We do have people coming in and thanking us very much.”

Ms Lewis reported that the recent hot spell had not been good for business but is optimistic for the summer ahead.

The free parking scheme was warmly backed by councillors to try and support the town centre. It has cost around £6,000 to implement, the amount that the Town Council has had to pay to the county council to compensate for lost revenue.