All council-run car parks in Wolverhampton City Centre will continue to be free until July 1.

It has been free to park on council car parks and on-street in the city centre ever since the start of lockdown and charging was due to be reinstated on 22 June. 

However, with many retailers only being allowed to reopen their doors for the first time this week, the council has taken the decision to extend this date until July 1 in an effort to boost city centre footfall and help businesses get back on their feet.

The decision means that the city centre's 19 car parks and 31 streets which are normally 'pay and display' will remain free for motorists visiting the city centre. All city centre car parks are open to the public apart from the Civic Centre underground car park. 

Parking in the district centres of Bilston, Wednesfield and Tettenhall was already free before lockdown and will remain so.

Cllr Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, said: "Many retailers have only just reopened their doors after being shut for months throughout lockdown and we want to do everything we can to give them a helping hand and protect jobs.

"We have taken the decision to keep all our car parks and on-street parking free until July 1 to attract as many people as possible back into the city centre where we have worked with retailers and other partners to ensure a safe, socially distanced shopping experience.

"With our markets in Wolverhampton, Bilston and Wednesfield fully reopening from next Tuesday (JUNE 23), what better time to get safely back into our centres and shopping to support our own. 

"We need to get behind our retailers after what has been a devastating hit to their income during the lockdown. It has been encouraging to hear the tills ringing again this week, the more people spend in our shops the more jobs will be safeguarded and the quicker the economy will get going again.

"We can't keep car parking free forever, as in the same way as private sector car parks they cost a lot of money to keep secure and maintain. Reasonable, competitive charges also encourage a turnover of vehicles to ensure that spaces aren't all taken up by office workers staying all day and ensure that people who are coming to shop in the city centre can find somewhere convenient to park."  

From July 1, charges will be reintroduced and more information about this will be released next week.

For more information about visiting Wolverhampton's reopened high streets visit: www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/reopen-wolves