Bury look to Rochdale for town centre inspiration

A group of Bury Councillors have this week urged their council to 'follow Rochdale's lead' and introduce the highly successful 'Free After Three' parking initiative.

The campaign, which is being led by Bury Councillor Richard Baum, would replace the current scheme in Bury which offers free parking for 15 minutes any time during the day.

Councillor Richard Baum said: "I suggested a while back that Bury should follow Rochdale's lead and offer free parking for shoppers after 3pm. This would bring more people into the town to support local businesses.

"In Rochdale, footfall, business revenue and parking income have all gone up, because customers came not only after 3pm but also beforehand to take advantage of the free parking later.

"I would like our Cabinet Members to visit Rochdale and see how this successful scheme has been carried out.

Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Alan Taylor, said: "It's great to see our local neighbours taking notice of the schemes we have introduced to help stimulate our Town Centre economy. It's important that we do all we can to help our local businesses and the Free After Three parking plan has done just that."

Councillor Taylor added: "Bury are a few years ahead of us in their redevelopment but with the new Sixth Form College, Transport Interchange, Town Centre development and direct Metrolink service, we really do have exciting times ahead."