Free parking boost to businesses
19 Mar 2021
Free parking will continue in town centres and car parks across Dudley borough in a bid to support businesses as they start to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
Dudley Council’s highways chief made the announcement today as the borough looks to strengthen support for traders and shoppers.
Free parking has been running on council owned car parks throughout the pandemic.
Some shops such as hairdressers are set to reopen next month (April) with pubs possibly to follow in June as town centres begin their roadmap to recovery.
Now, free parking is set to continue “for the foreseeable future” to support that recovery.
Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for public realm, said:
"We hope the extension of free parking for the foreseeable future will go a long way to helping businesses in our town and local centres recover from what has been a really tough year.
"Although we are seeing that light at the end of the tunnel, people should still only be heading out for essential items. But over the coming months, as more shops start to reopen, I am sure the free parking will have a big positive effect on our town centres and businesses."
Dudley Council originally suspended all car parking charges on their car parks in March last year due to the coronavirus pandemic which replaced the council’s existing offer of two hours free parking during the day and free parking overnight.
People with parking season tickets will see payments suspended for an additional period.
All other parking conditions still apply, such as the permitted duration for the short and long stay car parks, and Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) will continue to be enforced.