'Northampton is paying the price' - Frustration as council approves town centre parking charges increase

This comes after West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) voted through changes to its parking fees on Thursday February 26 in its 2026/27 budget, despite a petition to stop the proposals that gathered more than 1,400 signatures.

The council had already announced that it would be reversing plans put forward in the draft budget to start charging users of car parks in Brackley, Towcester and Daventry, but no such relief was given to the scrapping of two hours of free parking in Northampton at weekends and other fee uplifts.

Appealing to the Reform UK administration to rethink the higher charges at the start of the full council meeting, Northampton South MP Mike Reader said: “The biggest challenge that we face, the biggest challenge that residents talk to you about, is parking. Countless businesses signed my open letter calling on you to change your decision, and 1,400 people signed the public petition.

“Instead, Reform has chosen to balance the books of this council on the backs of small businesses in our town. If your cabinet needs to raise income, you should be honest about what you’re doing.

“You came into politics saying you would do things differently and tonight is your chance to prove it. You must vote in the interest of your constituents and vote against this budget.”

‘As a disabled man, I think it’s discrimination’

Another point of contention was the removal of free parking for blue badge holders in council car parks, with a note in the budget saying that they will have to pay the same rates as all other users from the new financial year.

Dennis Meredith, a blue badge holder and former WNC Lib Dem councillor, said he was “horrified” that the authority was going to start charging disabled people for using council car parks.

“I have spoken to lots of disabled people and they told me they will not come to town,” the meeting heard.

“Disabled people are mostly people on benefits, they can’t really afford to pay and it does help if they’re coming to town to get near a shop and park in a car park.

“As a disabled man, I think it’s discrimination from this administration.”

Speaking during the budget debate, Conservative councillor Pinder Chauhan added: “25 out of the 42 elected [Reform councillors] represent Northampton. With such a large presence, you would expect Northampton to be the front and centre of their priorities, yet this budget shows the opposite.

“You still have not prioritised the town, or considered the real-world impact your budget will have on local people. Perhaps you should pause and listen to the retailers, the shop owners, and the businesses in our town centre.

“They are telling you plainly that these parking charges will damage trade and reduce footfall.”

‘Parking charges do not kill a town centre’

Responding to the concerns, finance member Councillor John Slope said that the council had listened to residents during the public consultation, with 1,700 responses on parking alone, by removing the proposed costs for market towns. He explained that Northampton town centre car parks were in a “different position” to the market towns.

“They are well-established, well-used facilities with significant infrastructure costs attached,” he said, “Weekend usage is real and the cost of maintaining and operating those facilities do not stop on a Friday afternoon.

“It’s right that weekend users contribute, just as weekday users do.”

Councillor James Petter, cabinet member for local economy, culture and leisure, added: “Our principle is simple, if you use a service you contribute to its cost. For years, this issue was avoided, not because it was complex, but because it was uncomfortable to talk about.

“Parking charges do not kill a town centre. Town centres decline when there is no reason to visit, when investment stalls, and when leadership lacks vision. Our previous administration did this and a lot more.

“These charges are not a punishment; they are a result of confronting reality.”

Cllr Slope added that WNC was not “inflexible” and that where there was specific evidence for events that justify temporary adjustments, they would be looked at.

‘Northampton is paying the price’

The Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) previously said they had met with WNC representatives to stress the detrimental impact that parking charge rises have had on the town centre before.

Mark Mullen, BID operations manager, said after the meeting: “The decision by West Northamptonshire Council to ignore the well-informed concerns of town centre businesses, and almost 1,500 members of the public who signed the petition against an increase in parking charges, is both frustrating and disappointing.

“Businesses are understandably concerned about the potential impact this could now have on footfall and the ability to attract skilled staff.

“The BID remains committed to maintaining our ongoing dialogue with senior council leaders and council officers to discuss a way forward and to consider further measures available to WNC that could help to mitigate the impact of increased parking charges.”

Julie Teckman, owner of Vintage Guru in St Giles’ Street, also told the LDRS that the administration had “just ignored” Northampton.

“I never expected for one moment that they would actually change their minds, they knew what they were going to do.

“If you want to increase parking charges, make it a town that people want to come and visit. We’re working our damnedest to make it a better place and change people’s perception of Northampton.”

Former Conservative councillor James Hill, who launched the public petition against the town centre parking charges alongside Northampton town councillor Taylor Cowley-Coulton, told the LDRS after the meeting: “We are both disappointed that our concerns have been ignored by Reform, despite the huge numbers of signatures and concerns from local businesses.

“Northampton is paying the price.”

Mr Cowley-Coulton added: “Reckless Reform have voted to mug motorists, scrap businesses in the town centre, and squeeze the disabled further. It’s not reform – it’s a ruthless revenue raid.

“I hope that they will change course and apologise to our residents for this town-killing policy.”

What are the new charges?

The new parking charges are set to be introduced in April, and will come into place alongside a 4.95 percent increase in council tax for all West Northants residents.

‘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 will be subject to the following changes:

Monday to Friday charges

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 80p)

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 (an increase of £2.40)

Evening after 6pm – £2.80 (an increase of 60p).

Saturday and Sunday parking – £3 day charge (an increase of 80p and scrapping 2 hours free).