News

The number of people parking their cars in Bracknell town centre has gone down by six per cent in a year
advertisement

Recession link as car parking figures slump

By Mike Pyle
August 31, 2010

The number of people parking their cars in Bracknell town centre has gone down by six per cent in a year.

But the council is not concerned about the drop and says it is symptomatic of a national decrease in car park usage reported since the start of the recession.

The number of people parking in town centre council-controlled car parks, including the High Street car park and the one in Charles Square, dropped by six per cent between June 2009 and June 2010.

The figures were compiled by Bracknell Forest Council and released by the Berkshire Observatory in its Berkshire Economic Commentary 2010.

Victor Nicholls, assistant chief executive at the council, said: “Car parking usage has decreased nationally right across the country since the economic downturn began last year.

“The figures for Bracknell town centre’s council car parks are in line with national trends.

“The council and Bracknell Regeneration Partnership are working closely together to ensure that shopping in Bracknell is a safe and pleasant experience.”

Victor said they aim to attract visitors to the town centre through a range of initiatives including the summer of music and dance which culminated at the weekend, a fashion week in September, Hallowe’en-themed activities and the popular Christmas lights switch on at the end of November.

He also pointed out that crime in the town centre has been reduced by 10.6 per cent over the 12 months between April 2009 and April 2010.

| Submit Comments | View Comments (6)

« Previous Story | Next Story »

Most recent user comments 6 of 6

Show 15 | 25 | 50 per page

Frank - Please feel free to open a shop, if you can get the backing...

Olds Oak, Finchampstead
02/09/2010 at 00:26

Agree with Illusive man - we usually park in the Peel centre for under 2 hours. I wouldn't want to pay to park somewhere as dismal as Bracknell.

As for the music etc in the town centre, I actually like it. I went into town one weekend just to help out with the salsa and ended up doing some extra bits of shopping too.

I wouldn't go so far as to say the whole town needs rebuilding, it just needs to be livened up a bit. Get some good stores in and smarten up the outsides of the buildings. I actually like some areas of Bracknell town centre as they are.

Some good restaurants could help as well. I'm quite disappointed in where to eat in Bracknell...

CMA
01/09/2010 at 19:10

Totally agree with Scotty12. Music and dance just side-steps the issue and attracts people with no intention of actually shopping. All they're after is some free entertainment. It's a shopping centre. Let's have shops please.

Frank Chicken
31/08/2010 at 16:46

Or you park by the cinema and you have 2 hours free.

The Illusive Man
31/08/2010 at 14:06

Sorry but there is nothing in Bracknell town Centre work paying parking for, let's be honest you could park in a 30 minute stay and you would have time left over after you have done your shopping.

AR
31/08/2010 at 10:35

Maybe it's because people don't want to come into Bracknell. Why would they?.

Bracknell town centre is a depressing place that needs to be pulled down and re-built. Oh wait, that's what they are going to do every year with the regeneration.

Why try to entice people with music and dance?. Try to get some decent shops with a decent shopping experience.