Southport BID helps secure the return of 30 minute parking in SOUTHPORT

As part of the budget setting process for 2018/19, it will again be possible to pay for thirty-minute parking in Southport town centre.

Southport’s thirty-minute parking option was dropped by Sefton Council several months ago and the impact of the decision has been felt by businesses throughout the town centre ever since. The BID has been campaigning long and hard, on their levy payers’ behalf to encourage Sefton Council to reverse the decision.

CEO Hugh Evans says they have worked with the Council to analyse and evidence the impact of the decision and have produced detailed reports on the benefits of bringing it back and are thrilled that the proposal has finally been accepted.

Hugh says of the decision, “Parking in Southport has been a contentious issue for some time and it was made even more so when the thirty-minute option was taken away. This has been one of the biggest issues that town centre businesses consistently raise with us and one that we were determined to see reversed.

“We have been lobbying the Council consistently on this issue and although it’s taken a while we’re delighted that our detailed recommendations were finally accepted by the Council yesterday.

“We’ve worked hard to make this happen. Reinstating the 30-minute parking option will help to encourage shoppers back into the town centre and, by doing so, will provide much needed support for local small and independent retailers in particular”.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulation and Compliance, said: “We meet regularly with the Southport BID and discuss many aspects that could benefit the busy town centre.

“After being approached by the BID to reintroduce the 30 minutes of parking, following further discussions we are happy to assist in making this happen through the difficult budget setting process.

“As a Council we will always listen and hope this is well received in the town.”
It is anticipated the scheme will be live in June 2018 with a cost of 80p. Other charges in the town centre will stay the same for 2018/19.