Chichester District Council has announced that it will be offering free parking in all of its Midhurst car parks from 22 March until the end of 16 April 2023, to help support local businesses and residents following last week’s hotel fire in North Street.

“Midhurst businesses need our support more than ever and so we are encouraging people to shop locally in Midhurst wherever they can,” says a Chichester District Council spokesperson.

“In order to help with this, we will be offering free parking in our Midhurst car parks, including North Street car park, the Post Office car park, and Grange car park, all of which are a short walk away from the shops and businesses. The majority of businesses are open and North Street is accessible to pedestrians.

“Once parked, customers do not need to do anything — there is no need to take a ticket from the machine, or to book anything on Mipermit. Signage will be in place in the car parks.”
The council is also looking at potential alternative arrangements for its waste and recycling collections for both residents and businesses. Arrangements have already been made to access properties on Lamberts Lane, but the council is still unable to reach some properties on North Street.

“We are assessing the situation day by day and residents and businesses can be assured that we are doing everything we can,” she adds. “We would urge people to download our Chichester District Council app (www.chichester.gov.uk/chichesterdcapp) to access personalised updates and notifications for the very latest information. We will also continue to provide updates through our social media platforms and on our website.”

Following the hotel fire in Midhurst last Thursday, a number of agencies attended a site meeting on 20 March, including the council’s Building Control team, to meet with the owners of the premises that had been damaged.

“The current position is that the hoarding installed will need to remain in place until such time as appropriate retention of the façades and associated structures are in place. We understand that the owners are currently engaging a structural engineer to advise on the design of any façade retention scheme, and it is hoped that this will be in place within a four-week period. However, this is subject to relevant approvals from the multiple agencies involved. As soon as the temporary appropriate stabilisation of the structures are in place then the road closure can be reviewed.”