Struggling city centre businesses in Aberdeen are in line for a multi-million pound boost due to a new free parking project.
The Alive after Five six-month pilot was launched yesterday eliminating parking fees from 5pm to 8am at numerous car parks including Chapel Street, Denburn Street, Fredrick Street and West North Street.
Aberdeen City Council agreed to fund the £80,000 trial in September with city centre business body Aberdeen Inspired organising it.
Last night bosses at the business organisation said that they were hopeful that beleaguered city centre firms could be enjoy a boost of as much of 20% as the Christmas period approaches.
They are looking to the example of Newcastle, which estimates the scheme has generated £131million since it was rolled out in 2010.
Aberdeen’s city centre has been hit hard by the oil and gas downturn as well as a general decline across British high streets.
Bon Accord and St Nicholas Shopping Centre will mirror the council’s parking scheme and offer free parking in Harriet Street and Loch Street.
Aberdeen Inspired’s chief executive Adrian Watson said that the Granite City was becoming “24-hour”.
He said: “The free parking pilot aims to give consumers, tourists, and residents the opportunity to increase their dwell time in the city.”
Last year the organisation appointed Scotland’s first night time economy manager Nicola Johnston to help the rejuvenation.
Council masterplan spokeswoman Marie Boulton said: “Alive after Five has the potential to sustain the city’s buzz into the evening and we are delighted to be supporting Aberdeen Inspired in promoting this.”
Craig Stevenson, centre manager of Bon Accord Shopping Centre, said: “We are delighted to be included in this project that aims to enhance our city centre and make it more accessible for everyone.
“Our parking facilities are conveniently located for consumers to enjoy an evening meal at Marischal Square, late night Christmas shopping at Christmas or bowling at Shiprow.”
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Opposition Jackie Dunbar, SNP group operations spokeswoman added: “The SNP group brought forward this idea at the 2017 budget and again in 2018, so I am delighted to see it now being implemented.”
What the locals think
“I think that not having to pay for parking will be a great incentive for people to go into the city. I enjoy going to the theatre, and ticket prices aren’t cheap, so not having that extra expense will be a nice incentive to go more often. People are struggling financially, so ensuring that they have one less thing to pay for is a great idea.”
Sheila Graham, 51, Aberdeen, commercial worker
“This will encourage me to come into the city centre more often. Staying in Cove, I like to drive in and knowing that I can park for free in the evenings is a good idea to allow me to do it more.”
Jayne Smith, 39, teacher, Cove
“For years it seems like drivers have been discouraged from coming into the city centre, you are more used to hearing about prices going up than something like this. Myself and my wife enjoy visiting the centre for a meal and a trip to the cinema, and I will tell people about this. I would like to see more ideas like this, and hope the scheme is extended.”
Peter Shields, 62, managing director of BusinessPort , Alford
“Normally my friends and I would park at Union Square, but with a few car parks in the centre being free this will tempt us to park in the city more often and spend more time in the centre.”
Amy Tench, 18, on a gap year, Stonehaven
