Businessman steps in to raise awareness of free parking

by Lisa Reeves

Tuesday 8^th October 2013

Tue 8^th Oct 2013

A Wilmslow businessman has designed and funded a new sign to increase awareness of the Council's 'Free after Three' parking initiative.

Steve Kennedy, owner of Mail Boxes Etc, has installed a double-sided sign on Water Lane alerting passing motorists to the fact they can park in the Spring Street Car Park free of charge after 3pm each day.

Cheshire East Council introduced free parking after 3pm in the Spring Street Car Park, along with six other car parks across the Borough, in August. However, there was concern that the Council's scheme would not succeed in encouraging more people to visit the town because drivers were not aware of it.

Steve explained "I had a conversation with Cheshire East Council about 'Free after Three' parking initiative, and that really it needed promoting on the street for it to be effective and to help retail in the town with free parking for that slot.

"There were no signs at all on Water Lane and just a couple of A3 signs inside the car park (one in the stairwell after you had paid). My reasoning was straight forward, that there is little to be gained in launching a great initiative without marketing and advertising it to the fullest extent and signs re-enforce any messages implemented through the media, which people could otherwise forget over time."

Steve added "I said I could fix the problem easy, if they would let me sponsor a vinyl banner I could print it and fix it in place really quickly."

Cheshire East Council will review the new scheme after six months.

What do you think about the 'Free after Three' scheme at Spring Street Car Park? Will it encourage you to shop in Wilmslow more? Use the comment box below to share your views.

Tags:: Parking, Spring Street Car Park, Steve Kennedy

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Barry Stafford

Tuesday 8^th October 2013 at 2:33 pm

Great idea Steve... It takes a business person to create a simple idea, as its profit motive hopefully... More shoppers.
can he now do one at the roundabouts in Wilmslow for the idle drivers who don't indicate to leave the roundabout (Highway code) If they all signalled left, on leaving. It would help others waiting to pull out. I think on many cars. indicators were an optional extra.so not fitted. Worst spot at the by-pass coming into Wilmslow ,onto Alderley Rd. 70% do not indicate.

Nick Jones

Tuesday 8^th October 2013 at 6:01 pm

Well done Steve.... Good initiative, practical solution, dialogue with the right people at CEC and hey presto result!

Should be great for Xmas for retailers and visitors / shoppers alike

John Clegg

Tuesday 8^th October 2013 at 9:07 pm

You can add texting-while-driving to your list, there, Barry. I know it's only mere seconds but they all add up, those extra second or 2 while the idiot in the car in front insists on texting and so misses a gap in the traffic or, worse, allows a traffic light to change - just so they can update their Twiiter account.

Lindsay Jones

Wednesday 9^th October 2013 at 11:37 am

Thank you, Steve! Well done!

Derek Stevens

Wednesday 9^th October 2013 at 11:56 am

Has that sign had a full risk assessment carried out by the council? Surely any pedestrian could trip into the flower bed whilst being distracted reading the sign.(possible council view of the sign)

Great idea by a Wilmslow Businessman

Geoff Shelmerdine

Wednesday 9^th October 2013 at 11:57 am

Stick with the main story folks please..... Fantastic initiative from Steve and just what the Town needs, more free parking to attract shoppers, boost business and avoid shops becoming empty !!!

Steve Kennedy

Thursday 10^th October 2013 at 8:32 pm

Thank you all for your comments. The risk assesment was easy... There was a risk this excellent initiative would go unoticed. Regarding texting and indicating... hey, i'm a motorcyclist, dont even go there, i dont text on the move and still practice hand signals, especially to car drivers on the phone. We all have the ability to change those tiny bits that touch each and everyone of us, given application and a bit of spirit. I would stress one thing, we are all enabled to make that change. Dont just think it, do it. Our Town Council and Cheshire East will listen to you.

I'm working on a proposal to the council to put a tensile structure over Bank Square next (just the circular paved bit), the "Bank Square Band Stand". We can do jazz on a saturday, rock, folk, performing arts, classics, all undercover if its drizzly. Designed with a bit of zap, it will add significant value to this part of town and make that space more usable... Every town should have a bandstand... Just like they used to have. Do you know, i think this can happen... but there lies another message, optimism and belief. Thanks all.

Sarah Louise Smith

Sunday 13^th October 2013 at 4:18 pm

Great idea. First I had heard of it. I will definitely use the car park after 3:00pm.

Thanks Steve