Chelmsford City Council acquires city centre car park as part of wider car parks strategy

Chelmsford City Council is now the owner and operator of The Granary car park on Victoria Road.

The acquisition forms part of the council’s wider strategy for its car park portfolio to provide safe, secure and customer-focused parking in prime locations for shoppers and other visitors to the city centre.

Investment in prime-location car parks

The Granary is a popular, centrally located long stay car park on Victoria Road in Chelmsford city centre. Parking at The Granary puts users just a short walk from Chelmsford High Street and the city’s popular shopping and entertainment destination, Bond Street.

There has been no change to the car park’s pricing.

The Granary’s change in ownership will have little direct impact on customers, with the only notable change being that the car park is now fully cashless. New pay and display machines are already in place and accept card and contactless payments. Alternatively, customers can pay with the MiPermit app.

There has been no change to the car park’s pricing, with up to four hours for £2.50 or all-day parking for £4 on weekends.

Councillor Terry Sherlock says well-located, accessible parking is an important factor in maintaining tourism in the city:

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“Acquiring The Granary is another positive step in the council’s strategy to ensure the provision of car parks where visitors and residents want them most. Convenience is important to drivers and having access to well-located, well-maintained parking plays an important role in sustaining Chelmsford’s reputation as a destination of choice.

Meanwhile, we’re making choices to ensure that underused carparks, in less desirable locations, can be put to better use. All with the aim of keeping our city centre vibrant and appealing for visitors and for residents.”

Councillor Terry Sherlock, Cabinet Deputy for Sustainable Transport, Chelmsford City Council

Repurposing underused council owned car parks

While maintaining the provision of car parks where they are most in demand, the council’s strategy also focuses on repurposing underused car parks to ensure the best use of council owned land.

Following last year’s announcement of the closure of Meteor Way car park, this month will see the closure of Rectory Lane East car park. These locations are earmarked for much-needed temporary and affordable housing for Chelmsford residents who have been made homeless and face lengthy waiting times on the housing register.

Rectory Lane East, located just outside the city centre on Chelmer Valley Road, will close on 24 May 2026 after a review of council car park usage found it to be underused. The review found that adjacent car park, Rectory Lane West, accessed via Broomfield Road, can accommodate regular customers of Rectory Lane East without exceeding its own capacity. 

Rectory Lane West car park.

Rectory Lane West car park will remain open, ensuring minimal disruption for Rectory Lane East’s current users. Closure of Rectory Lane East will release the land for much needed affordable housing, to accommodate residents on Chelmsford's housing register.