Penrith Parking Charges Among UK Highest as Survey finds Parking Cost Driving People away from High Street

Almost two thirds of drivers are put off visiting their local high street due to parking charges, a new survey has revealed it’s also revealed Penrith has some of the highest charges for an hours parking across the UK.

The survey of 2,000 adults in the UK commissioned by Direct Line business insurance found that 62% are put off visiting local shops and businesses by the cost of car parking.

Despite concerns over the ‘death of the high street’, parking charges continue to rise, with 42 per cent of drivers saying the cost of parking in high streets, villages and town centres around the UK has risen significantly in the past year.

Nearly half (48%) say they would shop locally more often if parking was cheaper.

The cost of high street parking is directly impacting where people choose to shop. Over half of drivers (56 per cent) say it makes them more likely to visit a supermarket with free parking, a further 52 per cent say that it makes them more likely to go to out-of-town shopping centres with free parking and 44 per cent say it drives them to shop more online. 

Mark Summerville, SME Product Manager at Direct Line Business insurance commented: ‘Whilst councils are under increasing financial pressure and are keen to maximise their revenue, increasing parking charges may be a double-edged sword.

‘It is clear that many people do want to support their local shops and businesses but are being put off by the cost of parking. Keeping charges down, or lowering them, could help revive high streets, encourage local businesses to stay open and create additional employment – all of which may also boost council revenues.’

The price of parking near local shops across the UK varies from £2.50 an hour on average in London, to £0.90 an hour in Northern Ireland. The majority of drivers, 82 per cent (35 million UK drivers) believe councils should help to save the high street by offering free parking. 

Parking charges across most of the UK regions with the exception of London and Scotland for an hour is £1.50 or less.

The variation in prices even locally see drivers in Kendal able to park for an hour in council owned car parks for £1.50 and in Ulverston drivers can park for an hour in the council owned carpark for just 50p.

In Carlisle carparks operated by Cumberland council range from £1.20 to £1.50 per hour.

Drivers here in Penrith using Westmorland and Furness owned pay and display carparks for 1 hour currently face costs of £1.70 with charges set to rise in April.

Do parking charges put you off using the town centre businesses more?