Free Saturday town centre parking between September and April could be introduced to support Isle of Wight high streets.
Reuben Loake, Reform UK councillor for Ryde North West, has put forward a full council motion which proposes County Hall officers investigate the policy’s feasibility and report back for future discussion by councillors.
The submission, due to be debated and voted on next Wednesday (16th September 2026), says independent retailers and high streets across the Island face ‘distinct economic pressures’.
These, it says, are compounded by the seasonal nature of the Isle of Wight’s tourism economy.
Off-season footfall drops
Councillor Loake’s motion notes off-season footfall in key shopping hubs, including Newport, Ryde, Cowes, Sandown and Shanklin, traditionally falls significantly between Autumn and Spring and that standard parking charges can deter residents from shopping locally.
It says a targeted, time-bound free parking framework from September to April would provide direct financial relief to the public, including local families, during off-peak months.
‘Powerful incentive’ to shop locally
The proposal also states that making council-operated off-street town centre car parks free on Saturdays during those months would create a ‘powerful incentive’ for the public, including residents, to stay, spend, and support Island businesses.
Coastal car parks excluded
Councillor Loake’s motion says the incentive should be restricted strictly to core town centre shopping car parks and excludes coastal, beachside and transport-interchange car parks from such an initiative for financial reasons.
Debate on Wednesday
Full council will meet at 6pm on Wednesday, 16th September 2026.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
