Darlington businesses respond to parking charge increase
Business owners have warned increased parking charges across Darlington could impact how long shoppers stay in the town centre.
Darlington Borough Council’s new parking fees come into force on Monday (June 2), raising the charge for a one hour stay from £1 to £1.20.
Victoria Slack said the Emporium, on Grange Road, has thrived since opening in December 2024, but warned the financial impact of the parking increase on customers could begin to impact businesses.
She said: “We are doing really well and our customers are amazing. The town has been brilliant for us. Hopefully it won’t affect us too much, but who knows? If people stop parking here, this road is doomed. We need the customer parking.”
Grange Road is flanked by dozens of parking bays regularly used by shoppers. But business owners are also reliant on them for accessibility.
Ms Slack added: “If we park for a few hours a day to load stock into the shop, that is £3 and £60 a month to park in front of your own shop.”
A £5 cap will be enforced in short stay car parks. In the council’s long stay car parks, charges will also increase to £1.20 per hour for up to three hours, £5 per day, or £20 for a weekly ticket.
The local authority said the rise was necessary due to significant financial pressures.
At Refrill Vintage on Bondgate, store owner Karen Holmes hopes the price rise will not impact town centre footfall.
“I’m not sure if it will make a lot of difference,” she said.
The new charge of £5 all day was described as “quite steep” but she believes people’s habits have changed since the council removed a free parking incentive in 2023.
Ms Holmes added: “Rather than not come in at all, I think people are very wary of how much time they spend here, so that might affect it again.
“It’s only 20p at the end of the day, but if you want to stay all day, it’s a pound. If they are going to charge people, I don’t think it makes that much difference. However, if they made a couple of hours free, that would be great to bring people in.”
One shop owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, criticised the council’s management of the town centre’s streets. They said the money raised by the local authority through parking charges should be spent on improving the appearance of the main shopping areas to attract more visitors.
“The council in this town doesn’t do enough,” they said. “The price of parking is going up, and we don’t mind that, but we have got to see something in return.
“Yes, they have got to put prices up, but let’s see the basics. I’ve never seen anything like it ever, it is filthy.
“If you go into any town or city, there is bunting and it looks beautiful, but here it is all scruffy. The council is putting parking up but the effort is minimal and the streets are dirty. If you go along there you can’t sit down on the park benches because of vomit and bird poo. It’s disgusting.”
Council leaders were urged to consult and collaborate with local businesses on any future decisions that could impact their futures. “No wonder it’s a dying town because the cleanliness is horrific,” they added.
Despite parking charges being reinforced and rising in recent years, Joseph Baggaley at Earth Warriors on Skinnergate said his business has not suffered.
“After the charges came in last time, I saw a big increase in trade, and I’ve only ever seen an improvement,” he said. “I have never really noticed an effect of it. I was unsure whether it would harm or help. If it means there is more turnover of cars, it’s beneficial because people will always have somewhere to park.
“If you see spaces start to become vacant for long periods, that’s when you know that people are staying away.”
While admitting shopping habits have changed, impacting local businesses, Mr Baggaley is optimistic that Darlington’s independent traders will continue to be supported.
He added: “The nature of the High Street is changing, but people still need to come into the town centre for certain services and goods. It is unfortunate that the prices are rising, but the council has to raise money. It’s a hard situation.”
Another business owner in the Yards area of the town centre said the increase wouldn’t impact them as much as they are not directly near any car parks. While one trader, who did not give their name, simply labelled the increase “disgraceful”.
The new fares are estimated to generate an additional £500,000 for the council.
Libby McCollom, cabinet member for local services, said: “This decision was not taken lightly, but like councils across the country, we have had to make tough decisions to ensure we can provide high-quality, essential services for residents.
“This small increase will support us in continuing to provide car parking services, road maintenance and highway schemes, and was preferable to cutting discretionary services such as grass cutting, street cleaning, community safety and leisure services.”