Parking in Rotherham
Now the government of Rotherham has long pursued an anti-car policy. This has been followed with almost religious fervour for at least thirty years with people been encouraged to walk, bus or cycle. A couple of years ago free parking was introduced on Saturdays after 10am. This concession was withdrawn after about a year as it was reckoned that it was not attracting more shoppers to visit the town. Well it certainly attracted me! I remember that it was well-publicised in the Advertiser however I spoke to many people who knew nothing about it until it had gone.
What with the Credit Crunch and the many unoccupied shops in Rotherham another initiative has started to try and attract casual shoppers and visitors. From 1 June 2009 it is free to park hence the scheme is called 'Free After Three'.
Free After Three
"The scheme, which has been developed by Rotherham Borough Council in partnership with Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, applies to on-street parking and council run car parks, six days a week and all Rotherham Council car parking (including on and off street) will continue to be free all day Sunday.
The 'Free After 3' campaign aims to encourage people to visit the town after 3pm and support town centre businesses during the current economic downturn. It builds on a number of recent Town Centre Management initiatives, such as the Business Grants Scheme and the online discount shopping voucher scheme click-backs - all of which aim to give retailers financial support to develop their businesses especially during these difficult times."
Multi-Storey Parking
Levels one and two of the car park on Wellgate re to have a two hour limit to free up spaces for shoppers. Longer parkers and season ticket holders will have to go further up.
On Street Parking
From 13 August 2009 Rotherham Borough Council has reduced some on-street parking charges in a bid to boost town centre trade. Parking fees on Westgate, Canklow Road, Main Street, Chapel Walk, Maltkiln Street, Sheffield Road and Masbrough Street are now 20p for a 30-minute stay. These lower charges have been introduced after representations from businesses on Westgate and Canklow Road who contacted the authority after it appeared that the newly-introduced parking charges in the area were having an adverse effect on trade.