We’re saying NO to car parking charges at

Roundhay Park! 

Have your say…

by 21st January 2024

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My comments to Leeds City Council regarding the proposed car parking charges to Roundhay Park:

I own and run Art Roundhay Park (The English Art Co.), the art gallery and shop located at The Mansion Conservatory, next door to The Garden Room at The Mansion on Mansion Lane.

As a council taxpayer, and a business owner within the park, I strongly object - we should not be funding the maintenance of the car parks within the parks.

I understand why Leeds City Council has a shortfall of budget (as we all do) and their legal obligations are high, combined with dealing with inflationary costs which are beyond their control.

Could a contributory factor to the shortfall or overspend be the funding of nearly £6m for the cultural event LEEDS 2023? A cultural event where the total sponsorship income was nearly £10m but expenditure £11.5m? Plus allowing an unsecured interest free loan to Leeds Culture Trust Ltd (a charity set up to manage the event) on the basis that HMRC will give tax relief (but there is no guarantee that they will – I am unsure if this has been approved yet)? As the income has not met the expenditure there is now a deficit which, I’m assuming, will be met by Leeds City Council, and hence they are pushing this out to the residents of Leeds.

We won’t know the full extent until the financial audit in 2024/2025 by which time it will have bypassed the people of Leeds.

I am objecting to the introduction of car parking charges for the following reasons:

1.    Roundhay Park is crucial to the welfare and mental well-being of families and the people of Leeds. If parking charges are imposed it will restrict access for families, children, and the elderly who depend on it and are entitled to take in the fresh air and beauty of the park.

2.    Art Roundhay Park is a busy art gallery, shop, located next door to The Garden Room at The Mansion, a busy cafe at the top end of the park (Mansion Lane). We are a small independent business supporting local artists and makers, selling original art and gifts and usually experience high footfall throughout the year. It is a calm, peaceful haven where visitors enjoy free access to appreciate the art and beauty of the park. Income from sales of artists' work goes back to the artists, Friends of Roundhay Park and back into the local economy and the welfare of the park (via Friends of Roundhay Park). Since we’ve been located in the park we’ve supported over 80 artists and nearly 30 makers, the majority have sold, giving income back them and supporting the local economy too. We have donated huge sums to Friends of Roundhay Park too. (Accurate figures can be supplied).

3.    Roundhay Park is crucial to its visitors and local community; Art Roundhay Park is crucial to our local artists and visitors; many visitors (especially the elderly) will not park on the side streets and walk to the gallery or cafe.

4.    If car parking charges are imposed, footfall (and sales) would decline and our business would not be sustainable; customers will not pay for parking to just pop into the park for a quick coffee or greeting card.

5.    John Barran, who fought to buy the park in 1871, believed strongly that the park should belong to the people of Leeds. The barrister who argued his case, stressed that “all the people of Leeds should have the right to enjoy the benefits of the park”.

John Barran’s quote, inscripted on the wall of Art Roundhay Park, the Orangery, sums it up:

 "Here we have an estate which would make an ideal playground for the people of this town. Future generations will remember us with gratitude as they stroll along the pleasant walks and enjoy the ease and shade of the trees."

Introduction of charges removes the free access to all to enjoy the beauty of our park.

I look forward to attending the public consultation. 

Catriona Moore