Business leaders back free parking campaign

Southampton City Council’s move to drop evening and Sunday parking charges in its City Centre car parks has been welcomed by business leaders from Mayflower Theatres and MAST Mayflower Studios, and the Business Improvement District.

The offer is designed to help Get Southampton Moving and encourage people to come out and enjoy everything the city has to offer, providing a much-needed boost for local businesses as they recover from the impact of COVID-19.

Michael Ockwell, Mayflower Theatre Chief Executive says, “We welcome and are delighted by the change to free parking after 6pm which will greatly benefit Mayflower Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studios customers and indeed the night-time economy of the City. We look forward to welcoming Mayflower Theatre customers back into Southampton when we reopen from Friday 25 June.”

Giles Semper, Executive Director of GO! Southampton the Business Improvement District, said: “We are delighted that the Council is removing evening and Sunday parking charges. We have a fantastic food and leisure offer in the city with our world-class restaurants, cinemas and cultural attractions. We want as many people to be able to access these great businesses as possible – by whatever transport mode – and enjoy a relaxing day or night out. This is particularly important given the massive challenges these businesses have faced over the period of the pandemic.”

The council is working closely with partner organisations, plus major venues and attractions in the city, to promote the Get Southampton Moving campaign and encourage customers to make the most of the new parking arrangements.

Councillor Jeremy Moulton, Cabinet Member for Growth at Southampton City Council, said: “This policy is all about getting Southampton moving and doing what we can to support businesses as they reopen after an incredibly difficult period. I’m really optimistic about the future and the amazing opportunities ahead as we plot a course to recovery.”

From 21 June 2021:

• Monday to Saturday evening parking charges (6pm to midnight) will be suspended in all council off-street car parks (including multi-storey car parks) while a formal consultation period runs on the long-term removal of the off-street evening charges.
• Sunday parking charges (12pm to 6pm) will also be temporarily suspended in all council off-street car parks (including multi-storey car parks).

The consultation is currently live and being advertised locally. The suspensions will remain in place until the council’s Cabinet considers the outcome of the consultation and the implications of further changes at a meeting on 19 July 2021.

Charges will continue to apply:

• Monday to Saturday (8am to 6pm) in all council off-street car parks (including multi-storey car parks).
• Monday to Saturday (8am to 8pm) and Sundays/Public Holidays (12pm to 6pm) in all council on-street pay and display locations.

Signage will be in place in car parks and next to parking machines with more details.