Data reveals the most expensive places to park in the UK

20 April 2021

April 12 (2021) saw the reopening of pubs, non-essential shops and outdoor dining, there was one thing likely at the forefront of everyone’s minds… ‘where am I going to park”?

Data collected by The UK City Car Park Cost Index in December 2020 found that, unsurprisingly, private car parks in London were the most expensive in the country, costing £11.00 per hour. 

The data also shows that drivers could make a saving of up to £5.10 per hour by using a council car park in London, rather than a private one - almost halving the cost. 

In terms of council car parks, London and Edinburgh tied in first place as the most expensive places to park in the UK at £4.90 per hour. Birmingham followed in third at £3.50, then Manchester at £3.00 and Glasgow at £2.74. Nottingham, Bournemouth, York, Liverpool and Cardiff all made the top 10 for the most expensive places to park in a council car park in the UK. 

Local businesses have expressed a concern for the fact that, despite being lower priced than private parking areas, the expense of council parking facilities is likely to be putting off customers. 

A survey of 500 small to medium enterprise (SME) by payment solution provider ‘takepayments’ found that working from home and the expense of parking are two of the top three reasons why people avoided going to the shops over the Christmas period, with 82% and 27% respectively. Online shopping also accounted for 74%. 

The research summary said, “22% of those surveyed stated that they thought their local council was doing everything they could to encourage people to return to the high street before the second national lockdown”. It also listed the following suggestions from UK businesses as to what councils could do to encourage people to visit the high street: 

• Discounted parking (40%)
• Free parking (35%)
• Shopping vouchers (25%) 
• Improvements on the high street (such as lighting, outdoor space) (24%)
• Food or drink incentive schemes (19%)
• Discounted or free public transport (18%)
• Increased hygiene on the high street (6%)

We at Marshall Minibus leasing recognise the impact that parking expenses can have on fleets and motorists, and trust that you find the above information interesting. 

Contact us for Minibus Leasing 

To find out more about our minibus leasing services for schools, colleges, universities and charities, please contact us on 01480 220444 or email info@marshall-minibus.co.uk. 

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