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We have launched a parliamentary petition asking the Government to set a national minimum of 90 minutes' free parking in town and city centres. Here is why we're doing it, and how you can back it.
Parking is not the only thing holding back Britain's high streets, but it is one of the easiest barriers to remove. That is why we have launched a parliamentary petition calling on the Government to introduce a national minimum of 90 minutes' free parking in town and city centres across England.
The campaign is built on our own research. Our latest Voices of Retail report, produced in partnership with Faire, surveyed more than 2,000 UK consumers and 650 independent retailers. Shoppers and retailers were asked separate questions, and both groups landed in the same place: parking charges are one of the biggest things stopping people from spending on their local high street.
What did our research find about parking and footfall?
The numbers were more decisive than we expected. Sixty-three per cent of consumers told us free parking would encourage them to visit their local high street more often. Among retailers, 38% said free parking would have the biggest positive impact on their business, ranking it above business rate relief as the single most wanted local intervention.
That last point matters. When independent retailers are asked what they want from local government, the answer is rarely a grant scheme. It is footfall. Our earlier analysis of what the data says about independent retailer trends in the UK found the same pattern: the businesses that are growing are the ones with people through the door regularly, not occasionally.
Why is Jeff Banks backing the campaign?
British fashion designer Jeff Banks CBE has signed the petition and is calling on shoppers to do the same. He appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss the campaign and why he believes a national free parking standard would make a practical difference to town centres.
Speaking about the petition, he said: "Our high streets are at their best when they're busy, vibrant places where independent businesses can thrive and people actually want to spend time. If we're serious about supporting local shops and the communities around them, we need to remove the barriers that make visiting the high street harder than it needs to be."
He added: "Making 90 minutes' free parking available would be a simple, practical step that could make a real difference to footfall and give people another reason to choose their local high street."
The campaign has also been picked up in national news coverage across the UK.
What do shoppers actually want from their high street?
The appetite for independent retail is not in doubt. Our research found that 85% of consumers would rather spend with local businesses than large corporations, 96% want to see more independent shops on their high street, and 95% say they would spend more if more independents were there to spend with. The average shopper would put around £145 a month through local businesses if the choice and the experience were right.
They are not choosing independents on price, either. 82% believe independent retailers offer a better shopping experience than larger chains, and 61% say they shop with them for their personality and uniqueness. What is missing is not demand. It is the practical ability to act on it, and 90 minutes is roughly the difference between a quick errand and an actual shopping trip: browse two or three shops, have a coffee, discover somewhere new.
What is the campaign asking for?
Our petition sets out four things:
- A national minimum of 90 minutes' free parking in town and city centres across England
- A simpler, fairer parking experience for motorists wherever they shop
- Greater support for independent retailers and local economies
- Shoppers, retailers and communities uniting behind the parliamentary petition
As our Portfolio Director Jackson Szabo put it: "This isn't retailers asking for a handout. It's shoppers and retailers independently arriving at exactly the same conclusion. Giving shoppers 90 minutes free would encourage people to stay longer, discover more local businesses and spend more money within their communities."
How can retailers and shoppers support it?
The petition is live now and takes under a minute to sign. We are aiming for 100,000 signatures by 23 January 2027, which is the threshold at which a petition is considered for debate in Parliament. Sharing it locally matters as much as signing it.
Retailers can also request a free Retailer Parking Campaign Pack, which includes posters and QR codes for the counter and window, by visiting our page on the parking petition here.
If you like what you've seen here, why not join us in person for the retail event of the season? Autumn Fair runs from 6-9 September 2026 at the NEC, Birmingham, co-locating with Glee on 8-10 September. Register for free here, and join our newsletter for the latest updates before the show.