PARKING charges are set to return in Bromsgrove town centre from the first week of August.

Charges were suspended following the Prime Minister’s lockdown announcement in March but are set to be reinstated on Monday, August 3.

An app to enable shoppers and workers in Bromsgrove to pay for their parking cash-free and remotely is set to be introduced - but it will not work in two of the town's busier car parks.

The Mi Permit app will not be available for visitors parking in Asda car park and Churchfields car park, where machines operate on a separate, non-compatible system.

Hand sanitiser will be available at these pay on foot car parks for visitors to use once they have touched the pay stations.

While the app can be used in all other car parks in the town, it is not compulsory, with machines still accepting cash.

Permit users can now renew via the council website or over the phone through the Customer Services Team.

NHS and social care workers will not have to pay for parking, when charges are introduced, as long as their relevant passes are displayed at Council pay and display sites.

From July 31, visitors can download and access the Bromsgrove Mi Permit app for free on their phones or tablets via both android and iOS app stores.

More information about the app is available at www.mipermit.com/

Bromsgrove District Council Leader Karen May said: “With shops and restaurants reopening and parking charges returning across the district from August 3, I am pleased that we are able to offer our residents the choice to pay using a contactless system or in the usual way, depending on what they feel is safest.

“We are one of the last local authorities in Worcestershire to reinstate the charges and the income from parking makes up a noticeable slice of our income which allows us to maintain our car parks, so that they are safe and in good repair, and spend our budget on services for all of our residents to enjoy instead.”