Harrogate joins trend for churches to rent out their car parks as financial challenges bite

In the financially challenging times of Covid-19, churches across Britain have discovered they can use additional parking income to support their running costs to the tune overall of thousands of pounds.

According to new figures from YourParkingSpace.co.uk, churches in the UK are making more than £20,000 each month, an average of £200 each.

One such church is St Wilfrid’s Church, the largest and most architecturally significant in Harrogate, which spotted an opportunity to offer affordable parking, while attracting people to look around the church.

The church's facilities and commercial manager, Rebecca Oliver, said: “The parking income helps to support the running costs of the church, which as a Grade I listed building are significant.

“Using YourParkingSpace.co.uk is a straightforward and affordable way for a church to monetise its car park, without having to spend a lot of time managing it.”

Renting out parking space can also be a way of deterring anti-social behaviour round churches by having more people using it.

It's a not insignificant problem with police figures showing there are 19 crimes committed everyday on church property in the UK.

Research by YourParkingSpace.co.uk has also found that more than 100 churches are listed on the portal’s pre-booking parking website, where motorists can find more flexible, and alternative, options to on-street parking and traditional car parks.

As there are some 16,000 registered churches this represents only a fraction of the total number who could be making a tidy additional income given that YourParkingSpace.co.uk estimates that over 85 per cent of churches have suitable parking spaces.

Many churches listed with YourParkingSpace.co.uk are located near city and town centres, where demand for parking spaces is traditionally high, and can be pre-booked on an hourly or daily basis.

Harrison Woods, managing director at YourParkingSpace.co.uk, said: “Churches offering their empty parking spaces makes perfect financial sense, you could almost describe it as ‘pray and display’.

“However, the extra income is just one benefit as a busy car park deters anti-social behaviour, while visitors could also be tempted to have a look around the church if it is allowed.”

More information about YourParkingSpace.co.uk is available at www.yourparkingspace.co.uk

This is how Stray at West Park in Harrogate looks now

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