Christchurch Town Council has completed the transfer of ownership of the car park beside Waitrose from BCP Council, ensuring the site remains in public hands.
Under a new agreement, the council will lease the land to Waitrose, which will oversee daily operations, while Britannia Parking will manage the site using Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology.
Anyone using the car park will be able to stay for up to ninety minutes free of charge, giving shoppers time to visit Waitrose and also spend time in the town centre. For longer stays, visitors are encouraged to use nearby car parks offering extended options.
The Mayor of Christchurch, Councillor Charrett, said the change shows the council’s commitment to residents. He explained that free parking would encourage people to spend more time in the town centre, benefiting local businesses while keeping the car park under public ownership for the future.
Pete Brown, Waitrose Christchurch Branch Manager, said the move would make shopping more convenient for customers and help support other local shops and services.
Christchurch Town Council says it looks forward to working with Waitrose to ensure the car park remains well maintained and accessible for residents and visitors.
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