Expensive parking drives shoppers online
Brits are shopping less on their local high street compared to just a year ago with expensive high street parking among the factors being blamed, according to new research by online parking portal YourParkingSpace.co.uk.
Indeed, four-in-ten people said they now shop less on their local high street compared to a year ago, while almost one-in-ten go to their high street just once a year.
Parking costs
Four in 10 people also said it was because it is easier and cheaper to shop online, but the second biggest factor was expensive parking, which was blamed by 17 per cent of respondents.
However, it’s not all doom-and-gloom as shoppers could be attracted back to the high street with more parking spaces, longer shop opening hours and a bigger variety of shops, advises the survey by YourParkingSpace.co.uk, which lists often considerably cheaper driveways and empty parking spaces available to rent near high streets and town centres.
And it appears that the British high street can have a bright future, as almost three in 10 people believe it will adapt to circumstances and flourish.
Harrison Woods, managing director at YourParkingSpace.co.uk, said: “Many British high streets have suffered a hard time recently, with small independent traders and large department stores all feeling the pinch, but our survey has cause for optimism.”
Meanwhile, further analysis shows that Brits are still in love with their cars when it comes to getting to the high street, with half of those surveyed saying they drive to the local shops, compared to just 12 per cent who travel by bus.
Harrison added: “With most people driving to the high street, it’s no surprise that parking is a contentious issue. What they might not realise is that there are cheaper alternatives, such as pre-booking a nearby driveway.”
For more information about YourParkingSpace.co.uk, or to pre-book driveways and empty spaces for parking near high streets and town centres, visit www.yourparkingspace.co.uk