BROMSGROVE District Council is hoping Valentine’s Day will encourage residents to fall in love again with the town centre.
From tomorrow (Saturday), parking at all pay and display car parks will be free to motorists after 7pm in the evening.
It comes as part of a 12-month trial being held in a bid to boost Bromsgrove’s evening economy.
The charges used to be in force until 10pm each night.
Coun Mark Bullivant, the portfolio holder for car parking, said: “We have been gearing up for this for some time and I am really pleased to drive things forward and that residents can finally pull in to Bromsgrove, in the evenings, for free.”
The pay on foot car park at Asda and the multi-storey at Churchfields are not included in the scheme.
Bromsgrove Labour Group leader, Coun Luke Mallett, welcomed the free parking but described it as a ‘weak and half hearted measure to redress the damage done to the town’s economy’.
“Clearly these long awaited measures do not go far enough.
“For new night-time businesses to invest in the town they need the surety of a long-term relief from the Tories’ evening parking charges, not a 12-month trial.”
He also criticised the cabinet for not agreeing to recommendations for free parking on Sundays and the reintroduction of passes for over-65s.
