Free parking plans have been given the green light in Blaby town centre.
The announcement was made by Blaby District Council in order to support local businesses - especially in the wake of the news that the town's Waitrose supermarket is to shut.
There will be up to two hours of free parking in two of the town's car parks, John's Court and Enderby Road.
It follows free car parking bays in Narborough being approved. From September, two free twenty-minute spaces in Leicester Road and one twenty-minute space in the Narborough Station car park will be introduced as well as other changes to parking in Narborough.
What the council said
A council statement said the Blaby plan comes as a result of feedback from businesses in the area and as a result of Waitrose closing.
Councillor Terry Richardson, leader of Blaby District Council, said: "This is great news for the businesses and shoppers of Blaby town centre.
"It also shows that we will listen to the feedback people give us - we want our town centre to thrive.
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“The loss of Waitrose was a disappointment to Blaby but the town centre still has plenty going for it.
"This move will encourage visitors to spend time in Blaby for free and see that there are lots of places to visit, shop, eat and enjoy.”
What residents said
For some residents and business workers in the town, the announcement comes as a positive.
Matt Crowson is a small business owner in the town and he said: "I run a small business, which means that I’m in Blaby most weekdays and some Saturdays as well to use the Post Office.
"I feel that I’m making a positive contribution towards the local economy, spending up to £50 per week in mailing charges, perhaps grabbing a coffee at Jennos, a lottery ticket at Twins News, a snack at Greggs and before it closed, shopping at Waitrose.
"Being forced to pay up to £75 a year in parking charges is just another form of taxation by the council, ultimately cutting into my margins.
"I welcome the new free parking initiative as a way of driving footfall into a seemingly ever more quiet shopping area."
But despite his positivity he said that the move to make parking free should have come before now.
"It’s just a shame that the council didn’t make this decision a long time ago," said Mr Crowson.
"I’d like to see the local authorities stop charging for parking ,for up to 2 hours, on a permanent basis, rather than what appears to be a ‘knee jerk’ reaction to a looming problem."
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Janice Szewczuk is also a Blaby resident and was positive about the announcement.
She said: "I think it will help the village a lot.
"Blaby has always been regarded as a place to visit and shop hopefully now more independent businesses will open now we have free parking again."
Paula Farrington lived in whetstone for 15 years and stated the council "should never have started charging in the first place".
"It sounded the death knoll for business in the area," she added.
"A token, temporary two hours is a start, but so many businesses have already shut down, it seems too little too late to be honest!
"My fear is they've damaged Blaby beyond repair..."
Other changes in to car parking
In Narborough, the council is increasing the maximum time to park at Leicester Road car park from two to three hours, making the Grange Car Park in Narborough residents only, with a view to the Grange becoming residential properties, and bringing in parking restrictions for staff and visitors in the Council’s office car parks.
In Glenfield, the introduction of charges at Stamford Street and Station Road car parks, starting at 30 pence for two hours will come into force in September in line with the charges in Blaby and Narborough. Free twenty-minute parking bays will be available in each car park.
A number of car parks are also being transferred to parish councils, in Kirby Muxloe, Countesthorpe, Stoney Stanton, Croft, Enderby and Whetstone.
Councillor Sharon Coe, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Regulatory Services, said: “Car parks are an important part of our villages and for local residents and businesses. We are continuing to ensure car parks become a cost neutral service so the taxpayer will no longer face the burden to run this service.”
