'Parking costs mean our customers are going elsewhere'

Fewer residents are shopping in York since the city council's 2025 decision to increase parking charges, a business leader has said.

Andrew Lowson, director of York Business Improvement District, was speaking as the council voted to cut prices in some community car parks for vehicles displaying a valid permit or Minster Badge.

"Businesses have consistently told us that visits are becoming shorter and that regular customers cite parking costs for going elsewhere," Lowson said.

But Kate Ravilious, the senior Labour councillor in charge of transport, said: "The economic and footfall data shows York has seen a decrease in spend since 2024, but there are multiple factors feeding into this downturn."

Rachel Andrews works in Newton's Barbers in Heworth, around the corner from East Parade, one of the community car parks where prices were increased in 2025.

"Our customers used to pay 40p for half an hour to get a haircut and now it is £3, so we have seen a drop in custom. It feels dreadful, such a huge increase," Andrews said.

"We've easily lost 10% of our trade. We're worried one of us will end up losing a job, we'll have to work with less staff because we're serving less customers."

The parking charge cuts were agreed after petitions from traders in Bishopthorpe Road, Heworth, Micklegate and The Groves triggered an independent review, carried out by a firm called Arup, of community car parking and on-street charges.

Prices will now be 50% cheaper in three car parks, and some on-street spaces in "community areas" including Marygate and The Crescent, for people with a Minster Badge.

The cost of a Minster Badge will drop to £15 a year, from £45 for two years.

Speaking at last week's meeting of City of York Council's decision-making executive board, Ravilious said factors affecting trade included "inflation, geopolitical conflicts and fiscal policies".

She said job losses at "significant" York employers had also "suppressed resident spend".

Ravilious said: "We do recognise the way the increased parking charges were introduced, and the lack of depth in consultation, didn't reflect best practice. We've taken those lessons to heart.

"Arup were asked to conduct a parking review for the four community shopping areas that had submitted petitions and challenged the rise in parking charges."

A short distance along East Parade, Gemma Lyons is waiting at the reception desk of Headquarters Hair Salon for her next customer.

She said some of the salon's customers, particularly those who are elderly, had been "struggling to get parked" since the prices went up.

"The older generation are careful with their money, they don't want to spend that extra when they're coming in every week to get their hair done.

"Especially coming into winter, people are looking to save that little bit wherever they can."

Lyons said customers were now visiting less often because of the parking charges, while some have found East Parade's three-hour stay, which is £9 at the full rate, insufficient time to finish their appointment.

"We had a couple in yesterday who were in for colours and extensions. They were here for a good four to five hours."

Ravilious said the council believed the Minster Badge discount, as well as the community car park reductions, would "strike the right balance".

"It will support local residents, and community shopping areas, while continuing to improve sustainable travel options."

A proposal from traders, for a free hour or half an hour of parking, could hamper local firms by increasing York's congestion and reducing bus reliability, Ravilious said.

She added: "One in four households in York don't have access to a car and we're focused on their travel needs too."

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