More than £2.5 million made from parking charges at Northampton car parks in 2025 – top earning sites revealed

This newspaper submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) asking West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) how much revenue it has generated from its council-owned car parks this year.

The council responded saying it recorded a total of £2.5 million in net income across town-centre and multi-storey car parks between January and October 2025.

Among the top earners was St Johns Multi-Storey Car Park, which generated £335,000, while Upper Mounts brought in £283,600. Other high-earning sites included Grosvenor MSCP (£229,700), St Michaels MSCP (£133,900), and Midsummer Meadow (£126,100). Smaller car parks also contributed significantly, with Albion Place (£48,000) and Abington Place (£39,300).

The council has previously stated that income from parking is used to help fund transport services, road maintenance, and other essential local services.

Northampton Car Parks – Total Income Jan–Oct 2025 (ranked by earnings, rounded to nearest £100)

• St Johns MSCP – £334,600

• Upper Mounts – £283,600

• Grosvenor MSCP – £229,700

• Mayorhold MSCP – £158,300

• St Michaels MSCP – £133,900

• Midsummer Meadow – £126,100

• Ridings – £125,800

• Commercial Street – £107,100

• Marefair – £94,800

• Wellington Street – £56,600

• Commercial Street South – £54,400

• Albion Place – £48,000

• Abington Place – £39,300

• Market Street – £32,900

• Doddridge Street – £23,800

• Melbourne Street – £22,800

• Campbell Square – £22,500

• Newlands – £12,900

Chronicle & Echo also asked WNC for details on how much it has earned from parking fines at council-owned car parks this year.

The council revealed that Northampton car parks generated a total of £123,450 in PCN revenue at car parks in 2025, with Midsummer Meadow, next to the University’s Waterside Campus, topping the list.

Northampton Car Park PCN Revenue – 2025 (Ranked by earnings)

• Midsummer Meadow, Northampton – £18,602

• Market Street, Northampton – £15,720

• Albion Place, Northampton – £13,426

• Commercial Street South CP – £12,609

• Wellington Street CP – £10,875

• Doddridge Street CP, Northampton – £8,727

• Abington Place, Northampton – £6,729

• St Johns MSCP, Northampton – £5,295

• Campbell Square, Northampton – £4,825

• Newlands, Northampton – £4,295

• Marefair, Northampton – £4,160

• Melbourne Street, Northampton – £3,865

• Mayorhold MSCP, Northampton – £2,157

• Ridings, Northampton – £2,247

• Tove Short Stay, Towcester – £1,360

• St Michaels MSCP, Northampton – £1,085

• Upper Mounts, Northampton – £1,015

• Commercial Street CP, Northampton – £765

• High Street, Daventry – £685

• St Johns Square, Daventry – £675

Parking charges in the town have long been a point of criticism, with many calling for a scrap to the charges to encourage more footfall in the town centre.

Wes Suter, who last Christmas announced his store Steffans will be leaving Northampton after 48 years in business, said parking fees are one of the main reasons customers avoid Northampton town centre.

He said: “How can WNC charge people for parking in Northampton when we’re trying to promote people to come to the town? I think it’d be a lot busier if they scrapped it tomorrow; I think it would promote people to use it for what it is: a place where people come in and out. The council has got this thing about people spending the day in Northampton; nobody spends the day in Northampton anymore, it doesn’t exist, because we don’t have the things to keep them here.”

In response, a WNC spokeswoman said: "The revenue generated from car parking charges plays a crucial role in helping the council to deliver essential services to our residents, as well as maintaining the car parks. Without this income, it would be challenging to continue offering and enhancing some services that benefit our residents and businesses across West Northants.

"Charging for car parking is a common practice for councils across the country, ensuring that local authorities can sustainably manage their facilities and meet the needs of their communities."