Ellesmere car park will cost just £2 per year

A new car park costing just £2 a year is due to open in Ellesmere tomorrow in a bid to ease congestion and free up space for shoppers.

The trader-only car park with up to 200 spaces is to open by the Wharf to help businesses fight back against the recession.

The news follows Shropshire Council's announcement this week that off-street parking charges will be introduced in the town.

The temporary car park will require traders to purchase a permit and will remain open for the forseeable future.

During consultation between the unitary council and people in Ellesmere, it was agreed there was a need for a new car park to be introduced for business people to free up space for shoppers and tourists in the other car parks.

Lincoln McMullan, chairman of Ellesmere Chamber of Commerce, said: "People recognised the need for another car park for business people only following talks about the introduction of car parking charges. It will have about 200 spaces."