When they demand "Free" Parking.
Macclesfield, in England, is considering "free" parking on Saturday. The local Merchants are demanding it as part of "Recession Mitigation." The local authority is balking a bit since it would cost about $50,000 in decreased revenue each year. From the City's point of view, that's a bad thing.
The merchants are saying that their customers complain about parking costs and that free parking would bring in more business.
I wonder if the merchants have considered the fact that free parking would also bring in folks who aren't customers, but just want a place to park for free. Employees, sightseers, those visiting friends, and the like. What will they do if instead of people complaining of paying for parking, they complain of no available parking?
I have not heard of a place where "free" parking was instituted that business increased. IN virtually every case, increased business was related to better stores, prices, more reasons for people to come downtown.
If the merchants are so worried, why not have a pile of pound coins and give them to people who complain. Problem solved.
OK, that wouldn't work since I would simply walk up the street complaining at every store. However certainly a "validation" type of program would work, and I'm sure the P and D supplier could help with a "two part ticket," one for the car and one for validations. You give your ticket to the merchant get a pound or whatever. Problem really solved.
JVH