Council temporarily suspends car parking charges in Chesterfield to support local businesses during lockdown

It will be free to use all the authority’s surface car parks – including Saltergate multi-storey – until December 3.

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However, New Beetwell Street car park will be shut until December 3.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, the council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We have temporarily removed parking charges, like we did during the first lockdown, in order to make it easier for local people to collect essential supplies from the town centre and support our independent retailers.

“Anyone who has purchased a monthly parking pass for our car parks will have credit applied to their permit to reflect the free period when they are renewing the pass.”

Chesterfield market trader Luke Povey urged the authority to suspend car parking charges until the new year.

He said: “I know the council is losing money due to Covid but it will still be there at the end.

“I fear many of our businesses won’t be in the same position and the council ought to do everything in its power to encourage shoppers back to the town.”

Commenting on the council’s Facebook page, a number of people thanked the authority for again suspending car parking charges.

Last week, the council revealed the Covid-19 pandemic has so far cost it nearly £9million.

Since March, the authority has lost £7.2m in income from services it provides, including car parks, leisure centres and theatres.

It has also made extra spending of £1.6m – meaning the crisis has cost the council a total of £8.8m to date.

On Monday afternoon, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to explain the detail of England’s return to the ‘three-tier system’ when the current lockdown ends on December 2.

Which Chesterfield council-run car parks are free to use until December 3?

Short stay/shopper car parks: Holywell Cross; Rose Hill; Soresby Street; St Mary’s Gate

Long stay/commuter car parks: Albion Road; Derbyshire Times; Devonshire Street; Durrant Road; Hollis Lane; Queen’s Park Annexe; Queen’s Park North; Queen’s Park South; Spa Lane; Station Road; Soresby Street; Theatre Lane

Multi-storey car parks: Saltergate multi-storey

Other car parks: Old Ship Lane (Blue Badge holders only); Coach Station

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