Declining footfall in Darlington town centre has been blamed on the removal of a free parking scheme.

Figures show the number of people who visited the town centre fell in five of the last six months compared to the same period in 2022. 

Darlington Borough Council said rising inflation, the cost-of-living and poor weather over the summer contributed to the decline – but Conservative councillors pinned the blame on the Labour-Liberal Democrat council removing the free parking after 2pm initiative. 

The current administration has faced repeated calls from the opposition to reinstate the scheme after it was scrapped last year but cabinet members have stood by their claims that it is not financially viable and would impact the council’s future financial security.

A report presented to councillors at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting read: “The vibrancy of the High Street is an ongoing concern for all towns and cities. Footfall levels do vary year on year depending on a number of factors and there has been a decrease in footfall in five out of six months within this reporting period when compared to 2022.”

But that response failed to convince Cllr Jonathan Dulston, leader of the Conservatives. He said: “Would you agree that not extending the free car parking was short-sighted and is having a detrimental impact on our already struggling high street?”

Cllr Libby McCollom, cabinet member for local services, responded that visitors are now spending longer in town. 

“Footfall overall in 2023 was lower than 2022, and that includes before car parking charges were irrevocably and inevitably going to be reinforced,” she said. “It’s unfair of you to pin it on the last six months.”

The local authority said it continues to invest in the town centre through Towns Fund investment and has put more events on this year than in the same period in 2022, to attract people into the town.

Meanwhile, figures show occupancy rates in the town centre are currently approximately 90.6 per cent.