HUNDREDS of parking spaces will open to visitors and commuters in the heart of Darlington this week.

Traders and business owners gathered in Feethams Car Park to see its barriers operate for the first time ahead of Friday's (February 5) official opening.

The former Beaumont Street North car park now houses 650 parking spaces, including 33 blue-bays for disabled badge holders, four electric vehicle charging points and parking for up to eight motorbikes.

The Darlington Borough Council-run multi-storey will boost the £30m Feethams Leisure development that hopes to increase footfall through the town centre.

Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for leisure, culture and transport, Nick Wallis, said: “It’s much needed and it couldn’t come at a better time for the town.

“Gone are the days of people having to worry about parking tickets as the barriers mean drivers will pay on exit, rather than having to hurry back to their cars before the ticket runs out.

“The building also looks very contemporary and modern, which really fits in with the theme of Darlington and especially the Feethams development.”

The Feethams Car Park will operate the same short stay charges as the majority of council-run car parks, using a £1 per hour charge Monday to Saturday and £1 all day on Sunday.

Motorists using the Shopmobility service will be exempt.

And several businesses in the town centre welcomed the new multi-storey after a lack of central parking began to impact their custom.

Mercure Darlington King’s Hotel sales manager, Liz Connor, said: “I’ve been harping on to the council for about two years to try and get more parking in the town centre.

“We might be hosting conferences of up to 300 people so the 650 spaces here are going to be very useful and we really welcome it.”