Shirley: Scrapping free parking could 'kill' local shops

Five car parks in Shirley are amongst the 17 sites in Southampton set to lose their free parking in new council plans, which have received 2,000 objections.

Currently, various Southampton City Council car parks in Bitterne, Portswood, Shirley and Woolston offer free parking for up to two hours.

Marlborough Road North is one of these offering free stays, and a local pub landlord believes people could be sent elsewhere if charges come into place.

Shoppers can park at Marlborough Road North for free for two hours, though this would be scrapped in new council plans. (Image: Newsquest) “Even if it is just a pound or so, people will think, well if I have to pay for parking here I might as well go into town,” the landlord, who wanted to stay anonymous, said.

“I think suddenly we at Shirley lose appeal if you have to start paying before you even start shopping. That could kill local businesses and shops if people choose to go other places.”

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Under the proposals, 11 car parks will offer up to one hour for 50 pence, two hours for £1, three hours for £1.50, four hours for £2.50, five hours for £4 and all day £6.

Bridgette Dias, supervisor at Make it Magic on Shirley High Street, does not think scrapping free parking is a good idea.

Make it Magic on Shirley High Street. (Image: Newsquest) “I’d love it to be free from the start but paying will stop people from Shirley and push them somewhere else,” the 56-year-old said.

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Mathias Oubert, who was shopping at Lidl at the time, said that he does not think people really use the car parks anyway.

He said: “People shopping here are mostly local people who walk here. If I drive I come to Lidl car park to use the other shops, that one is free, so I never use the other car parks.”

Mathias Oubert outside Lidl on Shirley High Street. (Image: Newsquest) Chris Carter, owner of Clarence Hardware Stores on Shirley Road, said he is not personally ‘too worried’ about changes.

“My customer count now is so small now because people are in the habit of googling it and driving to one of the out-town parks to get it. Most of my customers are on foot or cycle, and the other thing is the council need to make the money now somehow.”

A council report said the 17 car parks had an operating loss of £54,000 based on 2022/23 figures and a project income increase of £560,000 a year from 2025/26 is expected if proposals are implemented.