Free parking in Leeds city centre and Otley spots during April and May weekends

Parking charges are being suspended in council-managed car parks and on-road spaces in the city centre and in Otley for three weekends in April and May.

These include April 17 and 18, April 24 and 25, and May 1 to 3, which is bank holiday weekend and includes bank holiday Monday.

Maximum stay provisions – usually two hours for on-road spaces – will continue to apply.

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said that this is part of the city's efforts 'to get the high street buzzing again' following the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

The country’s lockdown exit roadmap means that subject to review non-essential retail will be able to reopen on April 12, while hospitality venues can also serve customers outdoors from that date.

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We know how hard the last 12 months have been for our traders and we’re determined to do everything we can to help them through the COVID-19 crisis.

“There may now be some light at the end of the tunnel thanks to the success of the vaccine rollout programme, but the economic recovery will not happen overnight.

“Lifting these car parking charges on these dates will hopefully help encourage more people to return to the high street and support local businesses after they reopen.”

Information about council car parking can be found here.