‘Free’ parking confirmed, but Welshpool faces marketing conundrum

Welshpool will be providing a ‘pay what you can’ parking system for every Saturday from April 4-September 26, but have been told that they can’t cover over the payment machines at Church Street Car Park.

At last night’s Events and Planning meeting, town councillors were informed that they have been given the green light, pending a signed agreement, to go ahead by Powys County Council who will be paid £6,000 by them for the loss of income.

It will happen at Church Street Car Park only, but Events, Planning and Market Officer, Kimberly Wright, revealed that they can’t cover the payment machines on that day.

Cllr Morag Bailey pointed out: “Local people will largely be aware but it will be the visitors who won’t know, so we need to ensure there is plenty of signage in place.”

It was resolved that A-boards, or something similar, will be positioned next to the payment machines, complete with a QR code allowing people to make a donation, should they so wish. They will also look at increased signage on the way into the car parks.

Welshpool already has an abundance of free parking at the town centre supermarkets which allow up to two-and-a-half hours so sceptics believe the scheme may only largely benefit people working in the town on a Saturday, or simply parking in Church Street instead of Tesco.