In November 2018, Paisley First launched a campaign calling on Renfrewshire Council to offer free parking for three hours within Paisley town centre Mondays to Fridays. 

As a result, a Free for Three pilot project is in place in six car parks – Hunter Street Upper, Hunter Street Lower, Oakshaw, Orchard Street, School Wynd and Weighhouse Close. 

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Whilst not part of our Free for Three Campaign, Renfrewshire Council decided to reintroduce charges on Saturdays in all council-owned car parks, apart from the six pilot car parks which still offer the first three hours free, as analysis has shown a lack of availability of spaces in the town centre with many people using it as a park and ride facility. 

The on-street parking areas that were free on Saturdays are still free, you can also get three hours free in the pilot scheme car parks, and the large car park at the council’s HQ is still free all day on a Saturday too. 

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The pilot scheme is scheduled to run until the end of January 2020 and feedback will be crucial to our campaign to have Free for Three rolled out across the town centre on a permanent basis. 

If we can achieve this, then visitors to the town will be entitled to three hours free parking Monday – Saturday in all council owned car parks, which will also help to put town centre businesses on a level playing field with other Renfrewshire town centres. 

Chair of Paisley First, Colette Cardosi, said:” Everyone is all too aware of the challenges facing town centres up and down the country, we see it daily in the media. With visitor attractions such as Paisley Museum and Paisley Town Hall also now closed for a number of years for refurbishment, it is crucial that the negative impacts felt by local businesses are mitigated against. 

“Feedback from both visitors and local businesses alike has shown that time-limited free parking can make a difference in encouraging more people into Paisley town centre. 

“If we can have it rolled out throughout the town centre on a permanent basis, this could be a real game-changer for Paisley.” 

We are calling on the public to help us by taking our feedback survey, accessible via our website www.paisleyfirst.com, or by clicking https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/8TPC78B.

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X