Parking charges to be reintroduced in Loughborough next week

Visitors to Loughborough are being reminded that parking charges are being reintroduced at Council-owned car parks on Monday 3rd August.

Charnwood Borough Council is reinstating charges in its car parks as more people and businesses return to work across the town.

Car park users will now be able to use contactless barriers in the Beehive Lane multi-storey and Granby Street car parks. Touch-free ticket machines will also be installed.

The Council suspended parking charges in March when lockdown restrictions were brought in to make it easier for key workers to park.

Parking remained free in council car parks to help support local businesses as part of the initial recovery process.

The Council says it's losing around £75,000 a month in lost parking income. This funding is used to maintain the car parks and contribute towards other services including street cleaning, enforcement, street furniture and environmental protection. These services have continued but income has dropped significantly.

The Council also says they have also lost funding from other sources, including leisure centres, the town hall and fees and charges.

Councillor Jenny Bokor, lead member for Loughborough, said: “We have provided free parking for as long as possible to help local businesses, but this is no longer sustainable.

“Visitors to Loughborough can also continue to park for a short amount of time on-street, such as in the spaces along Granby Street.”