‘Bring town centre back to life again’

Last week, The Standard reported that Coun Vaughn Hughes suggested motorists should be allowed to park their vehicles in the £3 million re-vamped Market Place on non-market days in a bid to improve trade and footfall.

Claire Kendall from Whatever on Lord Street is due to shut up shop for good at the end of this week – but said she would have loved to have seen parking reintroduced to the Market Place.

“Parking in the Market Place would have brought the short-term shoppers in,” she said. “If they had an hour’s parking in the town centre then they could do a little bit of window shopping and it would be great for business.”

“It used to be like that years ago when you were allowed to park there. There’s no real connection with the town centre and the other car parks, but if they could park here then it would be brilliant for bringing everyone together – it would bring the centre back to life.”

Lisa Long from Sturton By Stow comes to shop in Gainsborough about once per week.

“It would certainly make it easier for people to shop,” she said. “I think it would bring more people to shop in Gainsborough – especially the elderly and disabled.”

Principal Highways Officer Paul Brookes said: “All of our plans were produced following widespread consultation with businesses, visitors, the Town and Parish Councils, community and voluntary sector organisations.”

“This consultation did not identify the desire to allow parking in the refurbished Market Place.”

He added: “To allow parking in this pedestrianised area would be a backward step in achieving the aims of the GIP and Master Plan, does not respect or enhance the historic Market Place area and gives rise to road safety concerns.”

Residents are asked to submit their views by calling 01427 611336 or emailing [email protected] by 28th September ahead of the 4th October meeting.