Will the council show their commitment to the businesses at the backbone of the Northampton community this festive season?

Park the Charges is the Chronicle & Echo’s new campaign, calling for West Northamptonshire Council to scrap Northampton town centre parking charges this Christmas.

What we want to see is free parking at all council-owned multi-storey and surface car parks, as well as the premium on-street parking, on Saturdays and Sundays from November 21 until December 20 – as well as Christmas Eve for last minute shoppers.

We believe this is key to the success of the town centre this festive period and the survival of the beloved businesses at the backbone of the Northampton community into 2027 and beyond.

The Market Square is set to be transformed into what the council hope will be a “magical festive destination” through WinterFest, and it is the Christmas light switch that will kick everything off on November 21, but parking charges will undoubtedly put people off.

Free parking will incentivise people to come and visit the town centre, including many who may have avoided Christmas shopping there in years gone by. If they then enjoy the festive experience put on by WNC and its team of partner organisations, they are likely to return.

What we want to see is free parking at all council-owned multi-storey and surface car parks, as well as the premium on-street parking, on Saturdays and Sundays from November 21 until December 20 – as well as Christmas Eve for last minute shoppers. | Iconic Media Group

placeholder image — What we want to see is free parking at all council-owned multi-storey and surface car parks, as well as the premium on-street parking, on Saturdays and Sundays from November 21 until December 20 – as well as Christmas Eve for last minute shoppers. | Iconic Media Group

It was only almost three months ago when four of the most popular on-street parking locations in the town – St Giles’ Street, Abington Street, George Row and Mercer’s Row – were earmarked as premium parking zones and prices were upped.

The premium charges were enforced from mid-August and parking machines were painted red to make them easy to identify.

The cost of 30 minutes rose from 80p to £1 and an hour now incurs a charge of £2, up from £1.60. For St Giles’ Street in particular, the cost of an hour of on-street parking already increased from £1.40 to £1.60 in April this year and this means it has risen 40 percent from the cost in 2025/26.

At the time of the introduction of the premium zones, Vintage Guru founder Julie Teckman described the move as a “cash point”, “cynical” and “an easy way to make extra money” – which was likely to drive shoppers to nearby destinations like Rushden Lakes instead.

“The idea that people won’t mind paying to be straight outside of where they’re going isn’t right, and it doesn’t feel very joined up to us businesses,” Julie previously told the Chronicle & Echo. “It’s not supporting us.

“I’m all for it if they want to build the town up and then put the prices up. If people are desperate to come to the town centre, then do it, but first you’ve got to get the people in.

“Half an hour in my shop is nothing, you need an hour or more. You’ll need two hours if you go somewhere for a coffee, and these increases are knocking people down for spending time in Northampton.”

Julie always hits the nail on the head when she speaks out about parking charges, and this has been a hot topic on people’s lips for many years now. Sadly, it is nothing new.

It has been abundantly clear for years that what these business owners want to see is West Northamptonshire Council commit to free town centre car parking, particularly on weekends. We continue to back these calls.

If you would like to be part of the Chronicle & Echo’s campaign for free parking in Northampton town centre this Christmas, email [email protected].