Shrewsbury car park could open 24 hours

Shropshire Council bosses have confirmed they are looking into whether it is feasible to open the Raven Meadows multi-storey car park on a 24/7 basis.

The move has been requested by Premier Inn bosses following frustration from the hotel's guests about limited access to the car park, which currently shuts at 7pm on weekdays.

Council officials today confirmed that the prospect of introducing round-the-clock opening hours at the centrally-sited car park is under consideration.

Councillor Claire Wild, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Shropshire Council has had discussions with Premier Inn and is aware of the desire to have 24-hour opening of the Raven Meadows multi-storey car park.

"The council has commissioned a project to look into the costs and options available for further consideration."

The Raven Meadows multi-storey car park has been used by customers of the £9 million Premier Inn hotel based in Smithfield Road since it opened in March last year.

But the limited opening hours of the multi-storey has meant hotel guests cannot get to their vehicles after 7pm from Monday to Saturdays and after 5pm on Sundays.

Councillor Wild's comments come after John Forrest, chief operating officer for Premier Inn, said the hotel chain would be willing to contribute towards the extra costs of keeping all or part of the car park open on a 24/7 basis.

He said: "At present our customers can't access their cars outside of the 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm Sunday windows.

"We fully understand that extra costs will be involved to operate the facility but we are committed to contributing to those and believe that much of them will be offset by the extra income Shropshire Council would receive from the extra parking income."

The idea is being backed by the Shropshire Disability Network (SDN), which recently held successful discussions with the hotel about the prospect of introducing a new ramp at its entrance for disabled guests and those pushing youngsters in prams. It is hoped the new access will be in place by spring once planning permission is granted.

Ruby Hartshorn, deputy chairman from the SDN, said: "A ramped access will help everyone, not just people who use wheelchairs and walking aids but also parents with prams making this new building easily accessible to all.

"SDN will be supporting Premier Inn with their planning application to Shropshire Council.

"We are also delighted to be working together on the ongoing issues that Premier Inn have regarding parking for their patrons at the Raven Meadows multi-storey car park site as well as drop off issues at the hotel."

The Premier Inn opened in Shrewsbury last year on the former Telephone House site in Smithfield Road.