We have issued a statement from Seb Slater, Executive Director, and Darren Tomkins, BID Board Member and local business owner, regarding Shropshire Council’s proposed parking charge increases announced last week (7th October), just under a year after parking charges were last increased in November 2025.

The statement is published ahead of tomorrow (14th October)’s Cabinet meeting, which will agree a public consultation on the changes.

Seb Slater said:

“We are saddened to see Shropshire Council’s financial position push its leaders toward decisions that work against the local economy as a short-term answer to the significant cost pressures it faces. We understand the Council’s finances are under close scrutiny from central government, and that the pressure to generate income has never been greater. However, we firmly believe that putting that burden on visitors, regular customers and the people who work in our town centre is the wrong path.

“A town centre’s economic health reaches far beyond the survival of its shops and businesses. It affects jobs and wellbeing, and in turn demand on the Council’s most pressured services, including social care. Shrewsbury is the county town and the service centre for a wide area, so its economic health has implications for the wider county. On top of that, it is regional visitor attraction, with tourists providing a welcome boon to the local economy over the busy summer months and festive period – and growing the town, and the county’s profile as a result.

“Shrewsbury has been fortunate to weather the storms that have hit Britain’s high streets in recent years, and the town is regularly highlighted for its vitality and independent business offer. But it is not invincible, and the local authority must not become complacent. The feedback we regularly receive from businesses shows the strain they are already under, due to the broader economic picture as well as November 2025’s parking cost hikes. We compel the Council not to treat Shrewsbury’s town centre users, workers and visitors as a quick way to try and raise revenue in the short term. The long-term costs are too great.”

Darren Tomkins said:

“The real concern is the cumulative impact of increasing parking charges again, less than a year after the previous rise.

“Parking isn’t simply a revenue stream for the Council; it’s fundamental to how our town centre economy functions. Every additional cost risks influencing how often people visit, how long they stay and, ultimately, how much they spend with our town centre businesses.

“We recognise the financial pressures facing Shropshire Council, but there must be a balance between generating revenue and supporting the wider local economy. Before introducing further increases, we need to understand the impact of the previous changes on footfall, dwell times and business performance.

“Shrewsbury needs a proper parking strategy that encourages people to visit, stay longer and spend locally; a piece of work that Shrewsbury BID would be more than willing to support. Further increases should be considered as part of that wider strategy, rather than in isolation, ensuring decisions support the long-term economic health of our town centre.”

We will soon publish our full report on the impact of the November 2025 parking charge increases on businesses and the wider town centre economy, including the views of businesses, ensuring those taking part in the consultation have the full picture when it comes to the likely economic impact of the proposed changes.