Purpose

The purpose of this decision is to remove the existing “Free After 3pm” parking concession at Elwick Place Car Park.
The free parking offer was introduced following the opening of the Elwick Place development to encourage use of the new facility, support local businesses and increase footfall within the leisure and retail destination. Since its introduction, Elwick Place Car Park has become a well-established and heavily utilised town centre parking facility.
The free parking period is no longer delivering the intended benefits. Feedback from businesses and operational observations indicate that the concession is predominantly being used by residents and visitors seeking to avoid parking charges elsewhere in the town centre, rather than by customers visiting Elwick Place businesses. This reduces parking availability for visitors to the development.
The removal of the concession will ensure that parking spaces remain available for genuine visitors, improve consistency in parking management arrangements, and support the Council's wider parking and regeneration objectives. The change is also necessary to align with operational requirements associated with the incoming leisure operator and the new ANPR provider.
The decision will remove the “Free After 3pm” offer at Elwick Place Car Park and reinstate the agreed charging arrangements for the site.
This decision has been made under delegated powers to the Director of Health and Wellbeing.
The free after 3pm parking offer will be moved to the new Edinburgh Road Car Park for 6 months when it opens.

Decision

It is agreed that:
The “Free After 3pm” parking concession at Elwick Place Car Park will be withdrawn with effect from 1 November 2026.
Standard parking charges will apply in accordance with the approved tariff structure for Elwick Place Car Park.
Customers using the cinema and associated leisure facilities will continue to benefit from free parking validation
arrangements, in accordance with the site’s operational requirements.
Blue Badge holders will continue to be entitled to up to three hours’ free parking, subject to the prevailing terms and conditions.
To maintain support for town centre visitors and businesses, the “Free After 3pm” offer will be relocated to Edinburgh Road Car Park for a temporary period of six months following its opening.
Officers are authorised to implement the necessary operational, administrative and communication arrangements required to give effect to this decision.
This decision will ensure that parking provision at Elwick Place supports the operational requirements of the site, maintains availability for genuine visitors, and aligns with the Council’s wider parking management objectives.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - Free After 3pm to me removed as detailed above
Option 2 - Not to remove Free After 3pm