Cornwall Council is making one hour of free parking in the town

People power and the efforts of a Cornwall councilor have ensured free one-hour parking is back in a ‘dying town’. The move follows concerns from traders that the loss of free parking has put people off visiting the town center – with at least one store even closing as a result.

There was hell across the county when Cornwall Council introduced higher new charges on its car parks last year. However, Callington has been badly hit – data showed parking in the town dropped considerably after a £1 first-hour charge was introduced in busy New Road South car park.

The parking controversy was exacerbated by a single sore point. When the Co-op was based next to the New Road South car park, it subsidized the first hour of parking so people could come in and shop there and elsewhere for free. When the Co-op left and B&M moved, it did not continue the offer. The increase in taxes in addition to the loss of that free hour worsened the sense of injustice in the city.

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Following the move, shop owners told us the decision was “killing Callington” and leading to a “dying town”. Card and gift shop Victoria Eyton closed last September, citing the impact of the loss of free parking as the reason.

Now there is good news for Callington, though sadly too late for Victoria Eyton. The first hour of free parking will return to New Road South car park thanks to six months of negotiations, organized by Cornwall councilor Andrew Long.

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He said: “I am so pleased to report that we have been able to bring back free one-hour parking from July 1. I would like to thank Cornwall Council and the Co-operative for being willing to enter into negotiations and would urge all people to start using the service and we can start the fight for our city.”

Cornwall Council has verified that the first hour of free parking in New Road South car park is funded by the Co-op, which owns the neighboring B&M building. A spokesman said: “The council worked with all parties to successfully renegotiate the historic agreement with the owners of the retail premises to fund the free parking hour which lapsed following the change of tenant and the Covid lockdown.”

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The news was met with enthusiasm in Callington with a Facebook page dedicated to the town including comments such as “brilliant news, the town really needed this” and “we will be visiting more often now”.

Vicki Brett, who runs the Dogsbodies pet store across the street from the car park, has been outspoken in the past about the negative impact the tax has had on city businesses, including her own. She told Cllr Long: “On behalf of Dogsbodies and all the small businesses in Callington, thank you for your perseverance. I hope people from far and wide will come back to Callington.”