TROWBRIDGE Town Council has reaffirmed its commitment to providing 500 free parking spaces if the St Stephen’s Place multi-storey is sold.

The council says it acknowledges the importance of free parking to the town’s retail shop and office-based businesses, shoppers and tourist visitors.

Last year, Wiltshire Council indicated it could be open to offers to sell the multi-storey despite a restrictive covenant giving free parking for the town’s businesses and visitors.

It made the offer to help sweeten the sale by online auction of the nearby Castle Place shopping centre which took place on December 13.

The shopping centre was eventually bought for £534,000 by Yorkshire-based commercial property investor Tahir Ali who has not yet disclosed his plans to revive it.

Swindon Advertiser: The multi-storey car park in St Stephen's Place, Trowbridge. The multi-storey car park in St Stephen's Place, Trowbridge. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Cllr Tamara Reay, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Assets, said: “The council is considering the future of the multi-storey car park and whether it can play a role in delivering improvements to that part of the town.

“We remain in open dialogue with the new owner of Castle Place Shopping Centre to see how this could be achieved."

The car park’s restrictive covenant was agreed in 1974 when it was handed over by its builder Ernest Ireland to the former West Wiltshire District Council.

The covenant was designed to help boost town centre trade and prevents Wiltshire Council from imposing charges on the drivers using it.

Cllrs Antonio Piazza and Edward Kirk have voiced concerns that Trowbridge town centre business could be damaged if the covenant is removed and charges introduced.

Cllr Piazza said last December: “The introduction of parking charges may deter visitors and affect local commerce adversely.

“The decision to sell this public asset should be made with full awareness of the covenant's terms and a clear understanding of its long-term effects on Trowbridge's development."

At their full council meeting on March 19, councillors resolved to reaffirm the council’s acknowledgement of the importance of free parking.

It has expressed a commitment to take over the management of Wiltshire Council public car parks in the town.

More importantly, the town council confirmed its continuing commitment to retain free parking in Trowbridge.

It added: “It will work in partnership with Wiltshire Council and others to improve parking and accessibility in the town.”

The town council will ask Wiltshire Council to keep it updated on proposals for the future of the car park, which has 446 spaces, 11 of which are for blue badge holders.