Petition seeks 90 minutes free parking for high streets

A parliamentary petition has been launched urging the government to establish a national standard of 90 minutes of free parking in town and city centers, aiming to revitalize high streets and support local businesses. The campaign, spearheaded by retail event organizer Spring Autumn Fair, seeks to address declining footfall and economic pressures faced by independent retailers. The petition calls for local authorities across England to implement the free parking initiative, which organizers believe would encourage more shoppers to visit local high streets. According to a survey commissioned by Spring Autumn Fair, nearly two-thirds of consumers, or 63 percent, stated that free parking would motivate them to visit their local town centers more frequently. The "Voices of Retail" report, also from Spring Autumn Fair, found that 38 percent of retailers view free parking as the most significant positive intervention local authorities could make for their businesses, ranking it above even business rate relief. Fashion designer Jeff Banks has publicly supported the campaign, signing the petition and encouraging shoppers to do the same.