Mixed response to ‘easy target’ proposals for Northampton town centre parking rises – which could scrap free two weekend hours

Proposals for Northampton town centre, as well as scrapping free parking in Daventry and Towcester town centres, will be discussed by West Northamptonshire Council’s cabinet on Monday, December 22.

These potential changes were outlined in WNC’s draft budget and if approved, will go out for public consultation for six weeks until February 3, 2026. The final budget plans for 2026/27 will then be debated and approved by full council later that month.

In September, WNC announced it must find £50 million in savings to plug a funding gap in next year’s budget, adding that some choices it needs to make “may not be popular”.

The authority warned that the level of funding it receives has not kept up with the growing population and the continued rise in demand for services for vulnerable residents.

The most notable change that may occur in Northampton town centre is that the two hours of free parking in WNC-owned car parks on weekends may be scrapped in place of a £3 day rate.

‘Band A’ car parks in Northampton, including Albion Place, Campbell Square, Midsummer Meadow, Ridings, St Johns Multi-Storey Car Park, Upper Mounts and Wellington Street could be subject to the below changes from Monday to Friday.

• 30 minutes - 70p (an increase of 20p)
• 1 hour - £1.40 (an increase of 30p)
• 90 minutes - £2.10 (an increase of 50p)
• 2 hours - £2.80 (an increase of 60p)
• 2.5 hours - £3.50 (an increase of 70p)
• 3 hours - £4.20 (an increase of 90p)
• 3.5 hours - £4.90 (an increase of £1.10)
• 4 hours - £5.60 (an increase of £1.20)
• 4.5 hours - £6.30 (an increase of £1.40)
• 5 hours - £7.00 (an increase of £1.50)
• All day - £11.20
• Evening after 6pm - £2.80 (an increase of 60p)

More information on ‘Band B’ and ‘Band C’ car parks in Northampton, including Commercial Street, Grosvenor Multi-Storey Car Park, Marefair, Mayorhold Multi-Storey Car Park and St Michaels Multi-Storey Car Park, can be found here.

‘£3 is not the end of the world’

Julie Teckman, owner of Vintage Guru which has been open in St Giles’ Street since August 2018, spoke to the Chronicle & Echo about upping weekday costs and scrapping the two hours of free parking on weekends in place of a £3 day rate.

“I feel quite disappointed,” she said. “Again, the support is not there for us. I completely understand the council’s got to find a way to raise revenue, but parking is always used. It’s disappointing.”

Julie shared that her hope was always to see parity between Northampton town centre and other areas across the county that have free parking – but instead it appears costs are going to be introduced to those areas, including Daventry and Towcester. Julie predicts it is not going to go down well.

On the other hand, Julie believes £3 for a full day of parking in Northampton town centre is not a huge amount to ask for and she is hopeful it may encourage people to stay for longer.

Currently, Julie sees that people rush away from the town centre before their two hours of free parking are complete so they avoid having to pay. She hopes that if people do end up having to pay £3, it may encourage them to stay for longer to make the most of the cost.

The business owner says it is important to be “realistic” about what to expect from WNC in their decisions to raise the funds needed, and that the way forward is to show residents the town centre is worth paying to visit.

“£3 is not the end of the world and people will deal with that,” said Julie, who encouraged anyone who feels strongly on the issue to speak up when the consultation period begins.

“It is worth coming into the town centre and St Giles’ Street is looking good. People are really impressed with what they’re seeing and the businesses working hard to bring it to life.”

Julie praised the Christmas activities on the Market Square as incentivising residents to visit during the festive period, but believes something more permanent is needed to entice people moving forward. This could include renting out empty council-owned premises to increase the retail offering.

‘It’s short-sighted and an easy target’

Kathryn Ozlati, owner of long-standing business of more than four decades Saint Gyles Jewellers, also shared her perspective on the proposals with this newspaper.

“Towns are focused a lot on night trade, like restaurants and pubs, and retail has struggled and suffered a lot,” she said. “Independents are propping up the town centres, with long hours and a lot of hard work to maintain the flow of customers.

“This will be another negative effect on all that we’re trying to do, and we cannot continue to prop up the towns in the way we’re doing. It’s short-sighted and an easy target – it’s an easy way for the council to get some extra money in, and retail just won’t sustain it.”

Kathryn believes that if the proposals are approved for the 2026/27 budget, it will “100 percent” deter visitors from Northampton town centre. The business owner already knows of people who only visit once per year, and she believes it will discourage many from returning.

“There’s zero support,” said Kathryn. “I don’t believe a lot of the people who work in the council support local or shop in the town. They have no idea what it’s like to be in retail and it shows through all the decisions they make.”

‘These proposals are currently being considered by our board’

When approached by the Chronicle & Echo, Mark Mullen, operations manager at Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), said: “We are aware of the proposed increase in parking charges contained in the draft budget.

“These proposals are currently being considered by our board, who will discuss in more detail at our next meeting in early January.

“We will be speaking to town centre business owners to gauge their opinions before submitting a formal response on behalf of levy-paying businesses as part of the public consultation phase.

“We would also encourage all businesses and residents in the area to engage with the council’s consultation process.”