The thriving town centre where there’s ‘nowhere to park’

Saturday, 3 May 2025 12:31

By Chris Gee, Local Democracy Reporter

Scarce parking will be at even more of a premium in Prestwich village as up to a quarter of spaces at the town’s only significant public car park are closed off for the next three months.

Already, the Fairfax Road car park, which had 168 spaces, is closed as work starts on a multi-storey, 301-space travel hub, the first step in the approved
£100M+ regeneration of the town. And this week there was a further body blow to those wishing to park in the centre of town.

Signs have appeared revealing up to 46 spaces are being closed off on the Longfield centre car park until the end of July. The car park spaces are are being swallowed up to provide cabins for contractors working on the regeneration.

The Longfield car park sits between the Metrolink stop and the main shopping area of Prestwich, and has capacity for 160 vehicles. Contractors Vinci Building said from May 1 until May 11 two bays would be closed off, followed by 46 bays betoween May 11 and May 15.

There will then be 24 bays out of service until July 26. Prestwich has recently been the location of several high profile leisure and retail openings including designer bakers Gails and a Rudy’s Pizza branch has launched in the former NatWest bank building.

Other independent restaurants, bars and shops have also announced opening and relocations including beer specialists Keg, Cask and Bottle who are moving to premises on Bury New Road. In information published about the need for the closures, Vinci Building, said: “With work continuing on the travel hub, we will be closing a number of parking bays at the Longfield Centre car park.

“This closure is required to allow the Vinci team to set up their welfare cabins and mobilise their team to carry out construction. “Once the cabins are installed, 22 parking bays will re-open.

“We apologise in advance for the inconvenience this may cause.”

Those using the car park this week said it was often a struggle to find a apot as it is. Jane Seddon, 49, said: “It’s put a lot more pressure on this car park since Fairfax Road closed and the streets all around are double yellow lined.
“It’s a case of hoping for the best when you come shopping. I’ve had to circle round the car park three or four times and then I hit lucky.

“Losing more spots over the summer will only make that worse.
“It’s getting as if there’s nowhere to park.”

Jonathan Herman, 76, lives in Prestwich and was visiting the pharmacy.
He said: “I suppose it’s the price of progress. “One of the attractive things about Prestwich is the parking but its being badly affected.

“But it’s all about the regeneration which will cause a lot of pain in the short to medium term before it’s completed.”

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