Permanent change of use for centrally placed taxi rank could help boost footfall in Newark town centre says council

Proposals to change the use of a centrally placed taxi rank in Newark could help boost footfall in town, it has been argued.

It is being proposed that the Kirkgate taxi rank near to the Newark market place be turned permanently into a short stay parking space after this was temporarily changed during the pandemic due to the drop off in taxi usage by the public.

Although the change was made in 2020, the taxi rank still remains a temporary short stay car parking space, however this doesn't appear to have had an impact on the town taxi trade.

It is suggested with two other town centre taxi ranks on Castlegate and Middlegate, that the town is more than sufficiently equipped with pull in taxi bays and that if additional spaces are required in the future another rank should be installed but in a different location.

When councillors were discussing the change it was considered "necessary to remove due to a drop in usage" and that the short stay car parking spaces would be better used by the public as they visit the market place.

It was argued that this change could bring footfall back into the town and support local businesses.

A vote was held in favour of sending the matter to a consultation.