Call for free city car parking to boost business

FREE parking should be introduced in council-run car parks in Coventry city centre to boost trade when non-essential retailers reopen from April 12, it has been urged.

Shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality will all welcome customers back as part of the government’s lockdown exit roadmap plan.

Neighbouring Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has announced plans to support hardhit businesses by offering free parking from April 12 for three months.

Council-run car parks will be free for people from 3pm during weekdays and then all day on Saturday and Sunday, with the authority funding it through some of the £3m given by the government in Additional Restrictions Grant funding. Calls have been made for Coventry to follow suit, with Conservative councillor Mattie Heaven raising the issue at full council.

She said: “This is great news for Nuneaton and Bedworth... however can I ask the cabinet member to consider offering free parking for city centre once the restrictions are eased from April 12?”

Cabinet member for city services, Cllr Pat Hetherton, said she will look into the idea, but made no promises.

She said: “It is something that we will look at as we go forward.

“At this stage I can’t say for definite but we are looking to try and encourage people to come into our city centre and see the difference that we are making in the completion and readiness for City of Culture on May 15.

“We are looking at everything and I would be happy to share what we are doing in preparation.”

The council has previously said it lost an expected £5 million from car park income, bus lane and enforcement during Covid this year.

Five council-owned car parks in the city centre were closed last October - Moat Street permanently and four others temporarily - with the council citing a lack of use during the pandemic.