Free parking successfully supporting Tameside towns

Two hours free parking in Tameside is continuing to prove a huge success, with car park use more than doubling  since the initiative was launched in June 2025.

In December 2025, Tameside Council run car parks recorded 129,898 visits, compared to 69,349 in December 2024, showing the positive impact of the scheme. The offer, which provides up to two hours free parking Monday to Saturday before 6pm, was introduced to make visiting and shopping in Tameside’s town centres easier and more convenient.

The initiative covers all council-run car parks across Tameside, including Ashton, Denton, Droylsden, Dukinfield, Hyde, Mossley and Stalybridge, as well as the council-run car parks at Tameside Hospital and Denton Wellness Centre. People using the offer still need to obtain and display a ticket from the machine, even when parking for less than two hours, but there is no charge for tickets covering up to two hours.

The scheme was developed following extensive consultation with residents, businesses and stakeholders, and forms part of the council’s wider plans to revitalise town centres and support local traders. It represents a significant investment from the council, but early indications suggest the benefits are clear: footfall has increased, traders report they are busier, and car park usage has surged.

Executive Member for Towns, Transport and Connectivity Cllr Stephen Homer said: "The success of our free parking initiative is clear. Car park use has more than doubled, and we’re seeing real benefits for residents, local businesses and town centres. This scheme was designed to make visiting and shopping in Tameside easier and more affordable, and the results show it’s working.”

This positive impact has already been recognised with a Business Buddy Award from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). This is rarely given and was last awarded in 2018, but Tameside Council was recognised for the difference the initiative is making to the local economy. The award celebrates organisations that go the extra mile to support small businesses, and the free parking offer has been praised for helping high streets during one of the toughest economic climates for retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.