Town centre car park saved

Church Walk car park in the centre of Hinckley has been saved after a petition against plans to turn it into a green space was launched by businesses.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council says it has now taken the decision to retain the car park in its entirety after it was made clear that the majority of town centres businesses and residents wish to keep Church Walk car park unchanged during a consultation. 

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, along with Historic England and Leicester & Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, are working together on a High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) project, to improve the public areas in the town centre.

In response to the survey, the council is now working closely with Historic England to draw up proposals for other areas of the town centre and leaving Church Walk car park as it is. Once this is complete, residents and businesses will once again be asked for their views before any decisions are made.

Leader of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Councillor Stuart Bray said:

My thanks to everyone who has taken the time to get involved in this consultation.  It is important that everyone who lives, works, shops or trades in the town has the chance to influence any proposed improvements. 

I have always had reservations about losing any parking in this area so it is helpful to understand how important user friendly improvements such as larger car parking spaces or increased green space are to residents and businesses., It is clear that the majority prefer to leave it as it is, so that’s what we will do.

I have now asked officers to look at further options for improvements elsewhere in the town centre. The survival of our high street and town centre is vital to the local economy so its vital people continue to be involved in shaping these proposals so that we can all get this right.