By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
The recently-renovated multi-storey Walkden Street car park in Mansfield will be free to use for at least the first week so shoppers can “realise the benefits” it will provide.
Mansfield District Council papers state the more than 350-space site will be opening “imminently” following a two-year closure for major improvement works.
Works to the site include concrete panels on the outside of the car park being replaced by a decorative metal cladding, as well as security fencing, replaced slabs and some repair work inside the building.
It came as part of a £1.7 million project by the Labour-run authority to “enhance the look” of the car park and replace concrete cladding that was coming “to the end of its life”.
The council expects the car park to become a popular hub for shoppers once it reopens, with close connecting links to the town’s Four Seasons shopping centre.
It will also be based next to the upcoming Stockwell Gateway development on the former bus station site, with construction currently under way on a hotel, a Domino’s takeaway, a Taco Bell and a Tim Hortons.
Now the council has confirmed parking fees will be waived for at least the first week of the car park being open to encourage more shoppers to use the renovated site.
Prior to its closure, the authority charged £1 per hour, or three hours for the price of two, for shoppers to use its 307 regular and 48 disabled parking bays.
The removed fee, documents state, will cost the council about £700 in lost income. However, it hopes the offer will increase income and usage of the car park in the long-term.
It comes after a non-key decision was taken on Tuesday (April 5) by Sarah Troman, the council’s head of neighbourhood services, to temporarily waive parking fees at the site.
Documents published by the council state: “The car park is due to reopen imminently and, in order to support the re-opening and encourage the public to use the car park, a temporary free period of parking will be introduced.
“It is envisaged that, once customers use the car park during the free period, they will realise the benefits of parking in there and will increase the throughput and income.
“The period of free parking shall be for a minimum of one full week i.e. Monday to Saturday and part-week should the car park re-open mid-week.
“This is to avoid confusion for customers by introducing charges part way through a week.”
