Free parking in Mullingar to 'support local'

Six days of free Christmas parking for Mullingar has been agreed in a bid to support local business.

However, the dates were not arrived at easily, with Westmeath County Council area director Martin Murray saying there would be budgetary implications for the region, especially if the month-long free parking for December, called for by Cllr Emily Wallace, was agreed.

Cllrs Ken Glynn and Bill Collentine wanted Christmas week added to the days agreed in previous years, while Cllr Emily Wallace wanted the entire month of December free.

“The month of December should be free parking,” said Cllr Wallace. “We have to realise where businesses are coming from, a recession, and where they are going - Brexit.”

“We’re aware of the income to the local authority but we’re also aware that we need to help businesses that week, showing that Mullingar is open for business,” said Cllr Ken Glynn at the last municipal district meeting.

“It’s easy to hop in the car and drive 45 minutes up the road and we want to stop that this year.”

Cllr Collentine cited a survey which showed that 26% of shoppers will go north this week, and that combined with online shopping, would hit local traders hard.

“I think businesses would appreciate this goodwill,” he said.

Disgusted at news reports on UTV and BBC showing northern car parks full of southern registration plates, was Cllr Una D’Arcy.

“It’s ‘news’ in inverted commas because it’s advertising for the north. Most of the money spent for Christmas is spent over the next eight weeks.

Spend it here and support jobs and business here, don’t be fooled that you’re saving money going north because it’s bad economy,” she said.

Cllr Paddy Hill said Mullingar Municipal District should be doing more to promote business across rural Westmeath, not just Mullingar.

“If people take into consideration the cost of diesel, wear and tear and something to eat, there wouldn’t be much of a saving.”

Cllr Frank McDermott pointed out it was people like him and Cllr Hill, coming in from rural Westmeath, that pay the parking.

“We’re close to the border so I think it’s only fair that we get something back,” he said.
Area director Kieran Martin said to give December free parking would cost roughly €100,000.

He pointed out that the council had worked with the business community and Chamber of Commerce to develop the Christmas Market, dedicating monies to it, and arranging free parking days around it so that other businesses would benefit.

He said the free parking dates proposed by the council of Friday 9, Saturday 10, Saturday 17 and Saturday 24 December, represent a reduction in income of around €17,000.

“So while I understand the ethos behind the motion I have to take on board the financial outcomes,” said Mr Martin, who reminded the members that while they could put forward a motion on parking, the parking byelaws state that it’s an executive decision to make.

Cllr Ken Glynn said his municipal district colleagues in Athlone had put down the same motion and it was agreed to give extra free parking on the week leading up to Christmas.

“There’s no point in putting down motions when we’re not being listened to,” he argued, while Cllr Emily Wallace added that Mullingar is not only in competition with out of town shopping centres who offer free parking, but with now Athlone too.”

Cllr Glynn agreed: “That’s a huge advantage to our sister town, who will have the five days of Christmas week.”

“Don’t forget what we do with the surplus monies from car parking, it goes into footpaths in north Westmeath,” warned Mr Martin. “It is significant monies we’re talking about here. We have to be careful,” he added.

“If you can work out more appropriate days I’m happy to work with that, but I have to point out the financial implications.”

It was agreed that free parking will apply on December 9, 10, 17, 22, 23 and 24.