On our Welcome to Thrapston Facebook page we asked what shops you used on the High Street and got some great (and useful) replies.
We then ran a little poster showing how a little money spent in the town makes a whole world of difference…

One comment to keep coming up though is…..parking. When customers or potential customers drive to Thrapston they are frustrated when they have no where to park. I know myself, I drive through thinking ‘If there is a space I will pop into XX shop’ and then when there is no space I continue my journey and that money is spent outside Thrapston.
If people think they can never find a space if they come to Thrapston, they will stop coming to Thrapston – simple as that.
The High Street retailers are trying out all sorts of new and exciting projects during 2014 to ensure the High Street remains viable and become a bustling and need the co-operation of other High Street users when it comes to parking.
Here is what they had to say:
PLEASE CAN YOU HELP TO INCREASE FOOTFALL IN THRAPSTON?
Thrapston retailers are working hard to increase footfall in various ways .However, one of the biggest restrictions we currently face in Thrapston is the lack of available parking in the town centre. We are regularly told by both shops and customers that if a parking spot is too hard to find, customers carry on driving and do not use the shops in Thrapston. This impacts not only that individual visit, but can also reduce subsequent visits if shoppers associate our town with difficulty in parking.
The most convenient spaces for customers to park in are along High Street and the High Street end of Chancery Lane. Currently, a number of these prime parking locations are taken up by cars belonging to businesses for all or most of the day.
This restricts trade for all of us and prevents Thrapston town centre from flourishing and growing. If these spaces were kept free and available for customers, we believe there would be an immediate and significant benefit to all town centre businesses.
There are a number of alternative, unrestricted parking locations within Thrapston which will not have the same impact on the town centre. We kindly ask that all businesses and their staffuse these other locations and do not park in High Street spaces. They should instead be kept available at all times for all of our customers.
Other places to park which are not restricted include:
· upper level of the CoOp car park
· end of Chancery Lane towards the Health Clinic
· De Vere Road
· Cozy Nook
Using these other car parking areas means a slightly longer walk for each of us, but will have a significant benefit to each of our businesses. Customers will be able to come and go throughout the day, use our businesses and spend money in Thrapston.
Even if your business doesn’t rely on regular walk-in custom it would improve business for you too. The more customers who can park and shop in Thrapston, the more successful our shops and cafes will be and so the more utilised Thrapston will be.
The more attractive our town will be to live in, to buy/rent property in, and to do business in – win:win!
Can everyone who parks for a whole day, help us make a positive difference for the town by not using the prime town centre parking places? This simple change is free and will make such a difference to our town.