Two hours free parking set to be introduced at Inverness city centre car park
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Shoppers in Inverness are set to benefit from up to two hours free parking at a city centre car park in a bid to support Christmas shopping and the recovery of the centre.
The measure, aimed at users of Highland Council’s Rose Street multi-story car park, is pending final officer approval under delegated powers.
Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael said: "I am very pleased that members of the City of Inverness Area Committee have agreed to a new range of parking tariffs that are designed to increase footfall to the city centre, to help recovery from the impact of coronavirus and to support retail business in the run-up to the festive season.
"The revision of the parking tariff structure will allow the council to introduce a cost-neutral change to the parking provision at Rose Street which will favour free short-term parking of up to two hours.
"This cost of this will be covered by a modest increase of 50p for up to four or six hours. Users staying up to 10, 12, 18 or 24 hours will see a rise of £1 on their parking tickets.
"Compared to other national parking facilities, Rose Street car park is already much lower in price and is highly competitive in its pricing structure.
"Anyone affected by the modest rise in the long-stay parking can purchase a parking permit that provides over 50 per cent discount on their annual parking fees.
"This is a win-win situation, which is cost-neutral to the council and businesses will hopefully benefit from increased footfall in their shops to aid the city centre recovery from Covid-19."
Mike Smith, manager of Inverness Business Improvement District Manager, was delighted that councillors had responded to the request by local businesses for support in difficult times by agreeing to introduce free short-term parking of up to two hours in the Rose Street multi-storey car park.
"This will support be a major boost for businesses and an attraction to those using the city centre at this vital Christmas trading period," he said.
The proposed tariffs will be implemented as soon as possible and the changes will be promoted at Rose Street car park and by the council in due course.
The current and proposed tariffs are as follows:
Up to two hours: £1.50 (current); Free (proposed)
Up to four hours: £2.20 increasing to £3
Up to six hours: £3.50 increasing to £4
Up to 10 hours: £4 increasing to £5
Up to 12 hours: £5 increasing to £6
Up to 18 hours: £6 increasing to £7
Up to 24 hours: £7 increasing to £8
For each subsequent day: £5 increasing to £7 in excess of 24hrs parking
Related story: Call for free parking in city centre to aid coronavirus recovery
