The new Northgate End multi-storey car park opened for business in Bishop’s Stortford today (Monday, 13 June), freeing up Charringtons and Causeway for future redevelopment.

A catalyst for town centre revitalisation – and jointly funded by East Herts Council and the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) – the 573 space multi-storey delivers much needed parking to serve the growing population of Bishop’s Stortford and vibrant business community.

Featuring 54 electrical vehicle charging points and 31 disabled bays, the facility offers digital payment via the PayByPhone app*. Charging hours are from 07:30-20:00 with the addition of an all-day tariff of £4.80, Monday – Saturday; £1 on Sundays.  Vehicle entry is from 7am until 11pm and exit at all times, except for the top deck which is to remain closed for the first few weeks whilst final measures are put in place to ensure it shuts at 11pm, in line with planning restrictions.

Councillors and representatives from the Bishop’s Stortford BID, Chamber of Commerce and LEP gathered to celebrate the opening, which marks the first step in ambitious council plans to free up pivotal surface level car parking for redevelopment into new arts, retail, office, leisure and residential space as part of the Old River Lane project.

Councillor Linda Haysey, Leader of East Herts Council, said: “The completion of the Northgate End multi-storey car park is a very exciting milestone and moves us a step closer to wider Old River Lane revitalisation plans. Consolidating parking means that we can build a new arts hub, shopping and leisure spaces, breathing new life into this part of town and ensuring its long term prosperity.”

Adam Wood, Head of Infrastructure and Regeneration, and Enterprise Zone Manager, at Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We are delighted to see this project come to fruition thanks in part to a £9.6m Local Growth Fund investment from Hertfordshire LEP, comprising £6m grant and a £3.6m interest-free loan. Right from the outset we could see the value that freeing up surface level car parking would bring by creating a much more enticing offer to attract people back into the town centre. Post COVID this is even more important if we want places like Bishop’s Stortford to continue to thrive and develop.”  

Viv Frankham, Chief Financial Officer at Real, said: “It’s fantastic to see another project completed, and being able to celebrate the opening alongside East Herts Council and LEP.  The car park is providing much more than just parking, allowing room for further redevelopment in the local area.

“We’re delighted that, through a significant amount of stakeholder involvement and co-ordination, we’ve been able to deliver the car park on programme whilst ensuring that the local community are best served by the new facility.”

Causeway and Charringtons are now closed. Information about alternative parking and tariffs, payment and electric vehicle charging at Northgate End can be found on the council’s website.

Cash and card payments are accepted at the payment machines located on the ground floor. Users do not need to display a ticket.