Free parking agreed to boost city economy

Free parking is to be introduced at some city car parks in a bid to boost retail and the night-time economy.

Subject to final approvals from the Combined Authority and Peterborough City Council, free parking will be on offer after 15:00, Monday to Friday, in four city council-owned car parks in Peterborough city centre.

The trial will take place later this year at car parks in Bishop's Road, Car Haven, Riverside and Pleasure Fair Meadow and will be funded by the combined authority.

The Conservative mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, committed £1.5m in his 2026-27 budget to bring free parking to Peterborough and Huntingdonshire.

The trial will test how free parking can attract more visitors, supporting High Street businesses and other attractions in the city centre.

It aims to help local shops and businesses compete with out-of-town retail and online shopping, as well as boost the evening economy.

Bristow said: "The health of our high streets has been under huge pressure for years and that needs to change.

"I want to encourage people to come into the city centre, support our local businesses, increase footfall, and bring more visitors to our heritage and leisure sites. Free parking after 3pm is a chance to do just that and we'll be watching the evidence closely to see what a difference it makes."

Welcoming the trial, Labour leader of the city council, Shabina Qayyum, said: "Peterborough city centre has so much to offer in terms of shopping, places to eat and drink, visitor attractions such as our fantastic cathedral, museum, Key Theatre, and lido.

"This free parking offer should encourage more people to see what our city has to offer."

The combined authority is also working on a free parking scheme in Huntingdonshire.

Do you have a story suggestion for Peterborough? Contact us below.

Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.