Decisive BID action brings rapid reversal on Ripon parking charges

The combined action of Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst and BID board member Councillor Andrew Williams has brought a swift halt to plans that would have seen parking charges in the city increase by up to 175%.

As reported yesterday by Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon blog, the North Yorkshire Council plan — which was expected to be rubber stamped this Friday (February 27) — also involved the introduction of nighttime charges 🌙, a move that Lilla said would be “devastating for the evening economy” of Ripon.
Cllr Williams, whose Minster and Moorside division on North Yorkshire Council includes the city centre, told Rejoicing in Ripon this morning (February 25):
“Working in liaison with Lilla and with the knowledge that we had the weight of the BID members behind us, we voiced strong opposition to the foolish and ill thought-out plans that would, undoubtedly, have had a negative impact on businesses in Ripon.” 💬

Following their strong interventions, North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les advised Cllr Williams yesterday evening that he was pulling the plug on the officers’ recommended parking charges strategy ❌.

Instead of the hikes of up to 175% — which would have seen the hourly charge at The Arcade Car Park increase from 80p to £2.20 and the cost of parking on Market Square rise from £1.30 to £2.20 — the council will look to bring in a 10% across the board increase.

Ripon BID has consistently made the case for affordable daytime car parking as an important element of the city’s offer and has previously championed and supported free parking initiatives during key trading periods, such as the festive season 🎄.

Lilla pointed out:
“In addition to reasonably priced daytime parking, the maintenance of free parking after 6pm is crucial to our hospitality and leisure business members, and we are relieved that North Yorkshire heeded our call for an urgent re think.  We, alongside counterparts at Skipton, Harrogate and Northallerton BIDs will continue to  press for consultation by North Yorkshire Council prior to these types of plans being put forward.”🙌