Car park opens 24/7 in trial to boost economy

A city centre car park is opening 24-hours a day in a trial which is hoped will help boost the night-time economy.

The 332-space car park previously opened between 07:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT Monday to Saturday, with extended hours for certain events and limited Sunday opening.

Chris Burden, cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said the new opening hours would "support local businesses" and "make life simpler for residents and visitors". The trial runs until 31 January.

It follows the installation of a new hi-tech ticketing system at the Civic Centre site, that the City of Wolverhampton Council said has made parking "easier and more convenient".

The site's technology upgrade has introduced a ticketless automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system, allowing faster entry and exit to the car park.

Prior to departure, customers now have to make a payment either in person, at a pay station, at the exit barrier, or via digital payment methods, by scanning the QR code on signs around the car park and paying online.

Qaiser Azeem, cabinet member for city transport, said the upgrade had provided "smoother journeys" for people coming into the city.

He added that the round-the-clock opening hours would be a "welcome addition" and "give people even more options".

The trial follows consultation with businesses and forms part of the new City Centre Evening and Night-time Economy Strategy, which the local authority said was aimed at creating a "more welcoming and lively city centre after dark".

"We have listened to the needs of our city centre businesses about what could help the night-time economy," Mr Burden said.

"This is about creating a vibrant, safe and accessible city centre that works for everyone," he added.

Data from the trial will be used to further inform the council's wider parking strategy, which includes technology upgrades at other city centre car parks too.

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