This is where you can park for free after 3pm in Sunderland city centre

Drivers can now park for free in council owned car parks in Sunderland city centre. This is where you can park and when.
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Parking at all council car parks and bays will be free after 3pm five days a week Monday to Friday.

It will see more than 2,000 car parking spaces in Sunderland city centre become free for shoppers, workers and visitors.

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It is part of a new car parking package which will also include a new maximum charge of £5 at the Sunniside multi-storey car park and £3.50 at the Civic Centre.

It is now free to park in Sunderland City Council owned car parks after 3pm Monday to Friday.It is now free to park in Sunderland City Council owned car parks after 3pm Monday to Friday.
It is now free to park in Sunderland City Council owned car parks after 3pm Monday to Friday.
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As restaurants, cafes and other outlets take part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which offers discounts of up to 50% for diners throughout August, council bosses hope the added bonus of free and discounted parking will further encourage people to visit the city centre.

Free After 3pm Five Days A Week applies to these car parks:

St Mary's multi storey (480 spaces)

Sunderland City Council Deputy Leader Council Michael Mordey is hoping the incentive of free parking will bring people to the city centre.Sunderland City Council Deputy Leader Council Michael Mordey is hoping the incentive of free parking will bring people to the city centre.
Sunderland City Council Deputy Leader Council Michael Mordey is hoping the incentive of free parking will bring people to the city centre.

Sunniside multi-storey (653 spaces)

Boughton Street car park (56 spaces)

Nile Street car park (49 spaces)

Civic Centre car park (630 spaces)

West Wear Street car park (40 spaces)

Charles Street car park (28 spaces)

Tatham Street car park (94 spaces)

Gorse Road car park (54 spaces)

High Street West car park (35 spaces)

Livingstone Road car park (157 spaces)

Deputy council leader Michael Mordey, who is also the cabinet member for Environment and Transport, said the council and its partners are determined to support all businesses and encourage more city centre visits for shopping and leisure.

Cllr Mordey said: "There are city centre businesses that have suffered during the Covid-19 lockdown, and we want to give them a boost by making it easier for customers to visit.

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"Parking has always been exceptionally good value and competitively priced in our city centre. Now it is even better value with new daily rates allowing visitors to stay longer without needing to return to their vehicles at a set time.

“By parking and using the city centre you are supporting businesses and jobs, and helping create a more dynamic and vibrant Sunderland."

Alan Patchett, Chair of Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID), the partnership that works on more improvements to the city centre also backed the move to free parking.

He added: "It's so important that people come back into the city centre to support our businesses, so these fantastic incentives around parking are very welcome.

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"The expansion of the 'free after 3pm' scheme and the special deals will undoubtedly be very appealing to shoppers and visitors in general, allowing them to save money and continue to shop local, in a safe and socially distanced way."The new daily rates sit alongside existing hourly tariffs, and customers will be able to use cash at pay and display machines or use Phone and Pay facilities. A monthly parking permit option will also soon be available, offering more flexibility.

Each of the new offers are running for an initial 12-month period and being monitored and reviewed on their effectiveness.

For more information on the scheme, as well as other car parking matters, click here.

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