West Northamptonshire Council will trial a free parking scheme in Northampton this month to help support traders from Northampton Market following their controversial move. Traders will begin trading in Commercial Street car park tomorrow after nearly 800 years on the Market Square.
Visitors to the market's new temporary home will be eligible for one hour’s free parking at Commercial Street throughout February 2023. But customers must spend £5 or more to be eligible for the scheme, which saves £1-worth of parking.Customers who spend the minimum £5 will redeem a QR code from the stall holder. This code can then be scanned at the car park exit and the barrier will rise.
Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth, said: “While we carry out vital improvements to the historic Market Square, we welcome traders to Commercial St Car Park. As a prominent and accessible location in the town, this provides a really good opportunity for visitors to support traders.
However, many of the traders Northants Live spoke to on Saturday , which was the last day of trading on Market Square, shared their doubts and opinions of the scheme.