Council to carry out Cleethorpes parking review
That's after concerns were raised over the lack of free parking
North East Lincolnshire Council is to review parking in Cleethorpes. It comes as councillors have raised concerns about the impact of a Cleethorpes regeneration project on parking with one claiming a lack of free options could lead to the “death of the high street”.
There are three Cleethorpes regeneration projects backed by £18.4m Government Levelling Up Fund cash. Market Place is set to be turned into a largely pedestrianised space, with its car park going.
A new designated car park, Victoria Car Park at the rear of the Old Vic off Alexandra Road, has been created, and High Street Car Park made short-stay only. But concerns remain of the possible impact on businesses.
Liberal Democrat and Reform UK councillors both want free parking options. Market Place offers the only free public car park currently.
The council has now committed to a review of parking in Cleethorpes, similar to one already for Grimsby town centre. This will look at parking fees and options to encourage short stay visits, Cllr Stewart Swinburn (Conservative – Immingham Ward), portfolio holder for housing, infrastructure and transport, said.
“People don’t want to pay for parking,” said Cllr Oliver Freeston (Reform UK – Croft Baker), who warned the loss of Market Place spaces and lack of free parking could be “the death of the high street”. “Local residents say the same thing,” he said.
Cllr Freeston predicted a drop-off in footfall “unless the council are willing to provide free parking by the former Barclays”. In particular, he felt people visiting only one or two shops would be deterred. “When they’re nipping up for 20 minutes, they won’t bother.”
Lib Dem group leader Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe (East Marsh) likewise called for “a simple, common sense adjustment” to Cleethorpes regeneration plans so there is free, short-stay parking. “Cleethorpes’ streets, shops, cafés, and restaurants attract residents and visitors all year round, and the town means a great deal to people right across North East Lincolnshire.
“Keeping it easy and affordable to visit is vital for the health of our local economy and communities.” Cllr Aisthorpe is on the council’s regeneration working group and said she raised the issue through appropriate channels.
After no clear progress, she tabled a question to Cllr Swinburn at this month’s transport-related scrutiny panel. She requested a report to look into introducing a free, short-stay period in Cleethorpes car parks.
“The council is looking to commence a parking review, which would look at parking capacity across the resort,” Cllr Swinburn confirmed. “This would support a similar review that was undertaken earlier this year in Grimsby town centre, which would be discussed at this scrutiny panel early 2026.
“These reviews combined would allow us to look at wider parking capacity across those two areas,” he said, and “provide an opportunity to review parking fees and arrangements”. This includes “options that could support short-stay visits and local economic activity”.
“I’m pleased to see free short-stay parking now firmly on the table,” said Cllr Aisthorpe, stating the parking review was “long overdue”. The cost of living “is still squeezing households and small businesses,” she said, and it was vital parking charges do not become a barrier to supporting the high street.
Reform UK’s Cllr Freeston, with one eye on May local elections, stated on Market Place: “If we’re successful in taking control, or having significant say, then we’ll relook at the scheme, because it’s got to be about putting smaller businesses first.
“Often, councils don’t seem to get these regeneration ones right in my experience,” he said, adding business had contacted with consultation concerns. Rather than Market Place’s transformation, he expressed a different take on Sea View Street.
“Pedestrianisation of Sea View Street is a different ballgame altogether, because it’s got the boutique sort of atmosphere with the shops and it’s narrow,” he said, noting the road’s width. Currently, there are no plans to pedestrianise Sea View Street.