Melksham Town Council has confirmed the continuation of the Melksham Parking Redemption Scheme following a resolution made at the Full Council meeting on Monday 12th January 2026.
Since the scheme was first introduced in 2011, it has had a positive impact on the affordability of Melksham Town Centre, following a lack of cost-effective parking options which reduced the town’s attractiveness to visitors. Councillors agreed that residents consistently reclaim two hours of parking from Gompels Pharmacy, demonstrating its continued importance and value on Melksham’s accessibility.
On Tuesday 20th January 2026, Wiltshire Council approved a review of parking charges across the county. Arising from a lack of changes made since 2022, the review includes proposals to reduce the number of unused car parks, implement biennial reviews of parking charges and extend chargeable hours for on-street parking.
The renewed Parking Redemption Scheme allows visitors to Melksham Town Centre to reclaim up to two hours free parking from Church Street Car Park. To take advantage of the free parking, visitors will be required to present valid proof of an active parking ticket to a participating business, Gompels Pharmacy or Wiltshire Framing. Accepted evidence includes a photo of the physical ticket or confirmation via the MiPermit app. The business will then reimburse the cost directly to the visitor and later reclaim the charges from Melksham Town Council.
By offering two hours of free parking, the scheme aims to maintain and encourage footfall to local businesses and ensure that Melksham remains accessible and affordable for all. The scheme reduces the financial barrier of parking, making short trips into Melksham more appealing and encouraging spontaneous visits.
On Monday 30th March 2026, it was further resolved to invite more businesses to register to take part in the scheme. By extending the network of participating businesses, accessibility to the parking redemption scheme can be increased. If you are a local business, please reach out to Melksham Town Council’s Business Partnerships Team to get involved.
Melksham’s Mayor Saffi Rabey, commented:
“Renewing the Parking Redemption Scheme is an important commitment to keeping Melksham accessible and affordable for everyone. With parking charges set to rise across Wiltshire, we want to make sure that our town centre remains a place people can visit easily – whether they’re popping in for a quick errand or supporting our brilliant local businesses. By continuing to offer two hour’s free parking, we’re helping protect footfall, encourage spontaneous visits, and ensure Melksham stays a welcoming and vibrant town for residents and visitors alike.”