A comment left here yesterday came as a timely reminder.
This almost replicates the offer made last year (almost, because last time it was extended till mid-January). Then, we said, "This is quite an offer and we should applaud the council for it." Exactly the same applies this year. We can only assume that lost car park revenue has to be made from up elsewhere. Budgets are finite. Only last week we heard of "ambitious" plans from neighbouring Flintshire council to save £10mil.
Last year, we concluded that free parking was beneficial but that it didn't have the impact on the town that people might've expected. No one likes to pay for parking but neither did it seem to be much of a deterrent. If people are crazy enough to face the large crowds of Chester or Wrecsam, parking charges in Rhuthun or elsewhere isn't the issue. The won't stay put in Rhuthun simply because parking is free. There are many other factors at play.
But, what about 20 years ago? There were more people in town but, even then, the streets were never "packed". You have to go quite some way further back to remember that sort of numbers.
"Why don't we all try to buy a couple of presents this year from the town. I don't mean Tesco, Co-op, B&M [but] the independents that are hanging on."Longer-term readers will know that almost every year, this blog has said the same thing (e.g. from 2006 and 2007). Last year, we felt more than any other year, our independent traders need our help. If anything, this is even more important this time. The plea goes out: it's our town. Shopkeepers rely on us. No one else is going to make a difference. We shop elsewhere at our peril.
“Will Denbighshire ever stop charging people to park in Ruthin?”The council has announced that for the month of December, the Park Road car park will be free at all times. Parking remains free all day for Craft Centre users. Additionally, parking will be free in all other car parks after 3 p.m.
This almost replicates the offer made last year (almost, because last time it was extended till mid-January). Then, we said, "This is quite an offer and we should applaud the council for it." Exactly the same applies this year. We can only assume that lost car park revenue has to be made from up elsewhere. Budgets are finite. Only last week we heard of "ambitious" plans from neighbouring Flintshire council to save £10mil.
Last year, we concluded that free parking was beneficial but that it didn't have the impact on the town that people might've expected. No one likes to pay for parking but neither did it seem to be much of a deterrent. If people are crazy enough to face the large crowds of Chester or Wrecsam, parking charges in Rhuthun or elsewhere isn't the issue. The won't stay put in Rhuthun simply because parking is free. There are many other factors at play.
"I used to shop in Ruthin about twenty years ago and the pavements were packed. We went along today and the place was almost empty. I know the weather didn't help but the shopkeepers were lovely and said this was a normal Saturday."True, yesterday's weather didn't help. It was somewhat slippery underfoot and it certainly was unseasonably cold. People in town were definitely far fewer than is normal for this time of year. There were far fewer still on Friday, of course, after the particularly heavy snow from just after 7 a.m.
But, what about 20 years ago? There were more people in town but, even then, the streets were never "packed". You have to go quite some way further back to remember that sort of numbers.
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Parking