Harrogate Chamber says it hoped free parking would continue until end of July

Steve Scarre, president of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce: I had initially hoped that some form of free parking would have remained until the end of July."

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce made the comments after North Yorkshire Borough Council and Harrogate Borough Council decided to reintroduce parking charges at the Harrogate district's 28 car parks and its on-street parking from next Monday, June 15.

Steve Scarre, president of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said: “I had initially hoped that some form of free parking would have remained until the end of July, either on street or in car parks, to encourage customers back to the town centre.

“However, while I realise that it is lost revenue to both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Councils, it would gain them a lot of credibility with town centre retailers.

“It is now vital that those arriving by car appreciate the charges are back in place from Monday and the councils need to communicate this fact.”

In terms of responsibility and revenue, on-street parking in Harrogate comes under the jurisdiction of North Yorkshire County Council while organised car parks and multi-storeys belong to Harrogate Borough Council.

The councils regard the return of parking fees as part of the reopening of the town's economy and a return to a measure of normality.

NHS staff, health or social care workers and NHS volunteer responders will still be able to park for free, as long as they display their NHS permit or another valid form of evidence.

Major Harrogate shopping centre is to reopen

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