Free parking for 30 minutes at Mansfield’s pay and display car parks will begin on 14 September.

Drivers parking in the Four Seasons and Walkden Street multi-storey car parks will be able to park for three hours for the price of two hours from September 14.

Cashless parking is set to be introduced in late October at the council’s 17 car parks with no administration fees for those who pay by mobile phone.

The decision to change the fees was taken by the Executive Mayor, Kate Allsop, in July and the new fees will operate until 31 March 2016.

The new fees, which are designed to encourage visitors and residents to spend longer in the town centre and contribute to revitalising the district, take effect following a Car Park Order (CPO) published for consultation.
The impact of the changes will be monitored ahead of a decision being made on whether to include the revised charges in the 2016/17 budget.

Mayor Allsop said: “These measures are all about boosting business and enabling our local economy to flourish.

“Offering an extra free hour when buying two hours car parking in our multi-storeys will encourage people to spend longer in the town centre, where they can make use of our excellent shopping facilities.

“For those people, who wish to make shorter trips without incurring parking charges, the introduction of half-hour free parking will provide an added incentive for shoppers to come into the town centre and make that quick purchase.”