Welcome Rangers to ‘enhance safety and assist users’ at Northgate End multi-storey car park in Bishop’s Stortford

Bishop’s Stortford BID (Business Improvement District) joint-manager Karen Burton writes for the Indie

I’m obviously feeling brave because I’m about to talk about what I’ve nicknamed “the poisoned chalice”, otherwise known as Northgate End car park. Or, for some, “the prison block”.

Whatever you call it, love it or hate it, it’s there! It’s a town centre car park that either gets used or slowly falls victim to anti-social behaviour, turning into an albatross perched hawkishly at the edge of town.

And let me be brutally honest, I’m not exactly a fan of multi-storey car parks in general. It’s not just Northgate End. It’s the whole package: lifts, dim lighting and that lingering sense of isolation.

But then again, I also don’t like dark, quiet surface car parks or weaving through deserted alleyways. Maybe it’s just a fear passed down from my mum, one of those ingrained instincts. And breathe…

Back to that car park. Like it or not, Northgate End represents a significant chunk of the BID area’s off-street parking provision. If it’s not used effectively, it risks becoming dead space. The challenge? Understanding the issues, resolving what can be fixed and encouraging its use.

So, let’s take a step back and assess the parking situation across town.

Bishop’s Stortford has five main car parks (excluding the station): Jackson Square and Link Road are prime short-stay spots. Jackson Square is perfect for Sainsbury’s shoppers, with its two-hour refund scheme funded by East Herts Council. Link Road is great for access to the park or a stroll into town, although not ideal if you’ve got heavy shopping bags!

Apton Road and Basbow Lane are both mixed use, so suitable for short- or long-stay visitors. Apton Road is well-placed for those coming in from the south and handy for central retail. Basbow Lane is ideal for North Street visitors and those approaching from the east.

And Northgate End - well, this is where things get complicated.

If this were a popularity contest, Northgate End would struggle to make it past the first round. Its location is challenging in the absence of the development it was built to service and that’s before factoring in some of its issues. So it’s hardly surprising that it’s not the go-to choice.

This is where the BID can add real value. The data tells us that parking demand is increasing. In fact, at peak times, most of the town’s car parks are well used except for Northgate End. We also know town centre workers are actively avoiding it and not without reason.

So, what’s the solution? We need to prioritise our most central car parks for visitors, ensuring easy access to shops, services and leisure activities. Meanwhile, longer-stay car parks like Northgate End need to be a viable, attractive option for workers and those parking for extended periods.

The BID has lobbied long and hard for improvements to Northgate End, particularly around safety and accessibility. In response to business and public concerns, we are pleased to report that several key upgrades are happening right now, including painting (to brighten the space), the addition of a security office, improved lighting and, in the coming weeks, the installation of automatic entrance doors to improve access.

On top of that, we secured a tariff reduction last April and a freeze on rates for this year making it a more cost-effective choice.

But perhaps the most visible change, thanks to Shared Prosperity Funding, is that our Welcome Rangers have returned to Northgate End. They started last week and will be on site Monday to Saturday from 4.00-4.30pm to 8.00-8.30pm, the key window when many town centre workers start and finish their shifts.

Look out for them in their BID-branded orange gilets with the ‘Here to Help’ message. They’re there to make a difference enhancing safety, assisting users and generally improving the overall experience.

Our aim? To make the most of this untapped asset!