Down News digs deep to examine the background around the Market Street Car Park in Downpatrick
Recently, Downpatrick Counillor Galbraith engaged with Newry Mourne and Down District Council and Down News understands that the discussion is still ongoing involving the private sector operator.around tarrifs etc.
However, the questions remain, why is the car park in the private sector and has this policy been reviewed in recent times ?
FOI Request 8th April 2026 to NMDDC
On 8th April 2026, I inquired through making an Freedom of Information Request to Newry Mourne and Down District Council on how the Market Street car park went into the private sector.
The questions I put to Council were:
- “Can you explain if this was something that the councillors voted on to pass the car park on to the private sector, and if so when was the decision made and at what council meeting did this take place ?
- “Can you explain why the council opted to pass the lease to the private sector and not manage the car park itself ?”.
NMDDC’s First Response Received on 22nd April 2026
Newry Mourne and Down District Council holds recorded information relating to your request – please see below extract from legacy Down District Council Minutes of the Corporate Services Committee meetings held on 19th March 2003 and 17 September 2003.
19 March 2003.
11. CHARGING – CAR PARK, MARKET STREET, DOWNPATRICK (MS/38076 & RD/161)
The Director advised that this item had been raised at the request of the Clerk and Chief Executive, who had received a substantial number of complaints from traders in relation to all day parking in the Car Park at Market Street, Downpatrick and requested that charging for the use of the car park be investigated. Following completion of the redevelopment at the car park, a report on charging was due to be submitted to the Committee for consideration. The Council have no statutory powers to charge for use of its car parks, but could, if requested, enter into an agreement with agencies such as National Car Parks, who would instigate charges on their behalf.
RECOMMENDATION: It was AGREED on the PROPOSAL of Councillor Rea SECONDED by Councillor Colmer to authorise the Director to investigate the possibility of charging for use of the Car Park at Market Street, Downpatrick with the National Car Parks and report back to the Committee accordingly.
17 September 2003
RECOMMENDATION: It was AGREED on the PROPOSAL of Councillor Colmer SECONDED by Councillor Curran that the tender from CPS for the operation of the car park, Market Street, Downpatrick with the following tariffs be accepted, as recommended – 0-1hour – 30p, 1-2 hours – 60p, 2-4 hours – £1.50, 4-6 hours – £3.00, over 6 hours – £5.00.
A vote was taken on Councillor Colmer’s PROPOSAL as follows:-
FOR THE PROPOSAL 3
AGAINST THE PROPOSAL 3
The Chairman used his casting vote and the PROPOSAL was carried.
***
The Council officer said: “Further to my response of 22nd April 2026 you asked: Had this decision ever been reviewed at any stage in the legacy council or in the current council?
Respose from NMDDC
Newry Mourne and Down District Council holds recorded information relating to your request – please see Council’s response below.
A report was considered by the legacy Down District Council Strategic, Policy and Resources Committee on 2nd February 2009 and approved by Council on 23 February 2009 – see below minute as follows:
PR02/02/2009
5. (a) MARKET STREET CAR PARK, DOWNPATRICK (MS/3862)
Report on Market Street Car Park, Downpatrick, copy of which had been circulated to Members, was submitted for consideration.
Members welcomed the continuation of the licence from the Council to Car Park Services Ltd to operate the car park at Market Street, Downpatrick, as this generated income for the Council.
RECOMMENDATION: It was AGREED on the PROPOSAL of Councillor Mac Con Midhe SECONDED by Councillor Doris that the Council continue with the Licence Agreement with Car Park Services Ltd after its expiry in July 2009 until such times as a decision has been reached as to the future of the site and once this has been done, the Agreement can be determined upon the giving of one months notice in writing.
***
Therefore, based on the response from NMDDC, it appears that the management of the car park has not been formally reviewed in recent years. Cllr Conor Galbraith did press Council and Down News understands there has been some revision of tarriffs.
Given that the Downpatrick business community and wider community have concerns about parking in the town generally, and that the Market Street car park is among other factors of matters of concern, is a full council review now overdue of the Market Street Car Park ?
This begs the question: if the car park is profitable given that the private operator has maintained business there year on year, why has NMDDC under is ‘sustainability’ protocols not considered re-managing the car park ?
If legislation is prohibiting the Council from operating sustainably, then that legislation needs to be amended. And is there in fact an actual contract in place after July 2009 ?
A report WAS considered by NMDDC on the 23rd February 2009…. that was 17 years ago. The tariffs have increased since then, and again, a question may be asked, were these increases within the contractual agreement between the operator and NMDDC agreed within Council (at some stage).
We may never know as Council has a policy of not providing details of private contracts.
Downpatrick businesses are seeking as much relief as possible given they suffered badly from the 2023 floods just after the Covid pandemic. Shopping and trading patterns may also have changed. More people may be shopping online,
And the downturn in the economy means there is less disposable income to drive the circular economy of Downpatrick.
The Council has from time-to-time ran Shop Local campaigns, which help drive trade, but at the heart of trading in Downpatrick is the issue of car parking and shoppers and visitors receiving costly fines is a deterrent to shopping in Downpatrick.
