NCP car park charges to be cut in Walsall
Charges will be slashed at a Walsall car park – and possibly more in Wolverhampton – after a reduction at another multi-storey saw take-up rocket by more than 40 per cent.
Private operator NCP is reducing all-day fees by more than half to £3 at its 120-space Station Street car park, claiming it will help attract shoppers and offer a boost to local businesses. It is also considering reducing charges at its sites in Wolverhampton. It comes after the firm cut fees for almost 1,000 spaces across two sites in June.
These were at Freer Street in Walsall and the Wulfrun car park, Wolverhampton.
Derek Kirkwood, cluster manager for the parking operator, said: "Because the Station Street car park is near the train station it's used by commuters, but we get the shoppers there as well.
"We brought in a £3 all-day charge in Freer Street and volume-wise we have gone up more than 40 per cent.
"There are no plans to change that or the free Sunday parking.
"In the next four weeks we will be offering people the chance to park for £3 all-day at Station Street.
"It offers people a piece of mind that they can pay one fixed price. It is good for shoppers and will generate business for local retailers."
Current charges at the Station Street car park are £3 for up to two hours, £5 for four, £7 for up to six hours and £8 for a long stay, with reduced charges at weekends.
Mr Kirkwood said parking charges could face a change in Wolverhampton, where the firm has five sites containing hundreds of spaces.
"We are looking to see if it is viable there," he added.
However, in July, Saturday evening charges after 6pm at the Pipers Row NCP car park were increased to £5.
