VISITORS to Colchester Castle can now benefit from discounted town centre parking.

The castle is the latest business to sign up to the MiPermit discounts scheme from the North Essex Parking Partnership.

The inclusion of the historic castle means the pilot initiative now has 12 businesses offering reduced parking rates to customers.

Other businesses added to the scheme recently include Colchester’s Visitor Information Centre and The Gym Group.

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One of the most popular tourist attractions in the town, visitors to the castle will receive £1 off their parking when purchasing two adult entry tickets, or one family ticket.

Spending £10 in the Visitor Information Centre gift shop will reward customers with a £1 discount and The Gym members will receive £2 off their parking, every time they use the facility and park in Vineyard Street and Priory Street car parks.

Simon Crow, Colchester Council portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, said: “I believe this project is vital to aid town centre recovery and could be the future of town centre parking if we can encourage more businesses to be involved.”

The pilot scheme will be reviewed in December.