Traders are supporting Wear Valley District Council’s decision to charge for short stay car parking in Bishop Auckland.
A number of car parks that up to now have been free are switching over to pay and display which traders believe will help shoppers to find spaces more easily.
And some traders have said they will refund the 50p charge for the first two hours of parking if shoppers spend a certain amount with them.
Metric has supplied the council with 10 Accent S2 mains powered machines, which are being installed by Durham County Council who are allowing their power supply to be used by Wear Valley.
The district council has previously had only one pay and display car park, which has two Metric Auto Slot machines. When the new Accents go ‘live’, the standard charge for short stay car parking in Bishop Auckland will be 50p for the first two hours and £1.50 for three hours.
The council’s head of public protection, Tom Carver, said it was the intention to eventually seek secure car park status.
