A FREE pop-up beach has been installed outside a Durham shopping centre.

The beach, at The Riverwalk plaza, outside Odeon Luxe cinema, comes complete with deck chairs, buckets and spades, and beach games and is the first event to be held there this year.

It was launched on Saturday and will be open every day from 10am to 7pm until Sunday, September 5.

Centre manager Alan Day said: “We’re so excited to be offering everyone the chance to visit the beach this year.

“The Riverwalk Beach is perfect for families, you don’t need to pre book, just turn up and enjoy chilling on a deck chair with a refreshing beverage from one of our fantastic food and beverage operators.”

The beach comes at the same time as the re-opening of ‘Car Park 1’ at The Riverwalk, which has been under refurbishment since May 2020, going through a resurfacing and redecoration project with upgrades to the lighting – as well as introducing a new payment system and passenger lift.

The new hours for Car Park 1 are 7am until 6pm Monday to Sunday. The new rates will be: 0-2 hours, £1.50; 2-4 hours, £3; 4-5 hours, £4.50 5-6 hours, £5.50; over 6 hours, £10.

Visitors can still take advantage of 24-hour parking at ‘Car Park 2’, with free parking between 5pm and 7am.