Sunderland councillors to vote on bringing back ‘Free After 3’ parking in bid to boost city centre businesses

Free parking after 3pm could be set for a return in Sunderland city council in a bid to boost city centre shops, restaurants and venues.

Councillors in Sunderland are being asked to vote on whether or not to bring back the popular ‘Free After 3pm’ parking scheme in city centre car parks run by the Council.

The free parking scheme was axed from St Mary’s and Sunniside car parks in 2024, and was never introduced in the new Riverside car park.

Now the city’s opposition Liberal Democrats want the new Reform UK-led Council to bring back the scheme to attract people to shop, eat and drink in the city centre, and to help businesses compete with out-of-town retail parks and places like the Galleries and Dalton Park which offer free parking.

A vote will take place at a meeting of all 75 city councillors on Wednesday 24 June, and will also involve a decision on scrapping free parking in St Mary’s car park that Reform UK and Labour councillors have taken instead of paying like everyone else has to.

Lib Dem councillors on Wearside also want the Council to make sure people can pay for parking in car parks and on street bays with cash or card, instead of being forced to use a parking app from an outside company – which were found to be responsible for over £400,000 in stealth fees for motorists in a 3 year period.

Commenting, Lib Dem campaigner for Hendon, Millfield & the City Centre Ciaran Morrissey said:

"Labour councillors damaged local businesses in our city centre and made life more expensive for residents by ending the popular Free After 3pm parking in the most convenient car parks in the town. To add insult to injury, they tried to say it was to protect the environment when the real reason was money.

“Now there is a new Council in place, we are calling on them to bring back this popular and essential free parking scheme in all city centre car parks to give our local businesses the shot in the arm they desperately need.

“It is also time for the new Sunderland Council leadership to do the right thing and end rip-off parking fees and ensure sure people can pay by both cash and card.

“Councillors must try and restore trust in Sunderland Council by finally axing Reform and Labour councillors getting the perk of free parking in St Mary’s car park. Lib Dems in Sunderland have always rejected perks and expenses. It’s time Reform did the same.”