Motorists can enjoy free car parking in Wilmslow as part of a new initiative by Cheshire East Council to help release pressure on town centre car parks.
From this week, parking at the Remenham Car Park off Chapel Lane will be free of charge.
The Council has also suspended charges at Park Street, Congleton and Hibel Road, Macclesfield.
This follows on from the suspension of charges on Thomas Street car park, in Crewe, towards the end of last year.
As with Thomas Street, these car parks are located outside the main town centres and offer parking for longer-stay visitors without 'blocking' parking bays needed for town centre customers.
Cheshire East Council took possession of Remenham Car Park, at the old Council Offices site, in 2011 to enable them to control the parking there through civil enforcement, increase the available public off-street parking in this part of Wilmslow and secure an income for the Council from the asset.
However, the car park, which can accommodate over 50 vehicles, is currently not heavily used and, therefore, charging has not been effective in covering operating costs.
Cheshire East will monitor the results of this suspension, especially on the usage of other car parks in the town, on a monthly basis.
Councillor David Topping, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of environment, said: "I am pleased to announce the extension of this initiative, which is designed to help our businesses during what I realise are difficult trading conditions on the high street.
"We also want residents to have the opportunity to spend time in their local town without having to pay for parking. I hope that our motorists and businesses will notice the difference and feel the benefit."
Cheshire East also currently offers parking free of charge after 3pm each day on seven car parks across the Borough including Spring Street Car Park, off Water Lane in Wilmslow.
The Council is currently trying to sell the Remenham site for residential development, in order generate money. The 1.92 acre site consists of a three storey former house built around 1870 and a 1960s institution building.
Residential property agent, Colliers International has been appointed to market the site through open market informal tendering.
The Council intends to complete this disposal within the early part of the 2014/15 financial year.
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