WATCH: Northampton town centre traders stand united as parking increases stay despite Reform’s u-turn elsewhere

Budget proposals for parking charges in Northampton town centre have remained the same despite a u-turn for Daventry, Towcester and Brackley at a cabinet meeting on Monday February 16.

WNC says the decision to keep free parking in the three market towns was made after listening to feedback from residents in a “record” public consultation response.

More than half ‘strongly disagreed’ with upping fees and charges, raising concerns about the impact on independent businesses, the vitality of town centres and financial pressures on workers and volunteers, among more.

But it says the situation in Northampton is different as the town already has parking charges in place and is “being treated as such accordingly”.

WNC’s final budget-setting meeting will take place next Thursday February 26, with changes for Northampton town centre parking charges among the final 2026/27 proposals.

The most notable change, if approved next week, will be the scrapping of the two hours of free parking on Saturdays and Sundays in WNC-owned car parks – with motorists to face a £3 day rate at any time on weekends and Bank Holidays.

Currently, drivers can park for free for up to two hours on weekends with a £2.20 charge for anything over that. Increases will also be made to the hourly, evening and whole day rates on weekdays in council-owned car parks.

In addition, Blue Badge holders will no longer be exempt from charges and will pay the same rates as other users in council-run car parks in the town centre.

Among those gathered on the steps of the Guildhall on Wednesday morning (February 18) were Julie Teckman of Vintage Guru and Craig Ryan of Lawrence’s Coffeehouse. You can listen to what they both had to say in the video included in this story.

They were joined by other passionate individuals from across the town centre – including Kamil Rosinski from 360° Wellness Group, Finn Kelly-Jeans from Finn & Co., Steve Spence from Voni Blu, Sally Williams from Montague Jeffery, Darren Oliver from Clues & Cloud 8, Helen Cummings from Bonds Jewellers, Caroline White and Sue Birkbeck from Abraxas Cookshop, Liz Jansson from 78 Derngate, Caroline Ward from St Giles Cheese, Stewart Wright from Nuovo, Stephen Partington from Dychurch Lifestyle and Councillor Keith Holland-Delamere.

As published in previous Chronicle & Echo stories on the u-turn, a West Northamptonshire Council spokesperson said: “Unlike the three market towns where parking is free, Northampton has established paid parking infrastructure where charges already exist. This is a different situation and is being treated as such accordingly within the draft budget proposals. Councillors will have the opportunity to consider and discuss the draft proposals at their budget-setting meeting next week.”