Trafford Centre Premium Parking - how it will work, how much it costs and reaction to first pay-for car park

The Trafford Centre's first ever pay-for car park will open to the public next week, and the news has been causing a stir among shoppers. The vast shopping mall will still have some 11,500 free parking spaces for visitors to use across 18 car parks.

But from Wednesday, November 27, there will also be the option of paying for Premium Parking, which has taken over a section of the shopping centre's Upper Peel 5 car park.

This newly revamped area includes bigger bays to fit even the biggest of luxury and family cars. It also guarantees you a parking spot only a short walk to the entrance to Selfridges and the mall.

READ MORE: Inside the Trafford Centre's big new Santa's Grotto at magical new location

Bosses at the centre have confirmed the full details of the new Premium Parking site this week, including the rates you will pay - which will depend on the day you park there. It launches just in time for the busiest time of year at the shopping centre with the Christmas rush through December.

Off peak parking, which is Monday to Friday, will see you pay from £4 an hour to park there. Peak parking is classed as weekends (Saturday and Sunday) where the parking rate starts from £7 an hour.

However the longer you stay the cheaper the hourly rate becomes - with a maximum stay of 12 hours costing £14 on weekdays and £21 on weekends. You can also add on valet parking and car cleaning packages - where the price of parking is included.

Announcing the news this week, a Trafford Centre spokesperson said: "We’re constantly looking for ways to improve and elevate the experience for our guests, so our Premium Parking offering will adopt the latest in parking technology to provide the best service, giving people the option to elevate their visit with a convenient, premium parking location.

"We have always been incredibly proud of the centre's vast free parking offering, and this will continue. The new initiative is intended to offer added value for those who choose to use it and will have no impact on those who wish to continue parking for free."

The news has sparked plenty of questions from our readers, so here we've answered some of the many topics being asked about the new scheme which comes into force next week.

When does it start and when can you park?

The new Premium Parking zone will go live from Wednesday, November 27.

It will be available to use from 8am to 10pm on weekdays, from 8am to 9pm on Saturdays and 8am to 6pm on Sundays.

It will be using the "latest in parking technology" with new barriers and a kiosk when entering the zone.

Do you have to book or can you just drive in?

For the initial opening, bosses say you can either book online to secure a parking spot at a date and time of your choice, or you can take your chances and drive up on the day.

Bookings are now being taken from November 27 onwards at the Trafford Centre website here.

To book, you will be asked what time you are going to arrive at the car park. You will need to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your booked time slot, or risk starting a new payment session for your parking.

You will also need to add how long you expect to stay in the car park when you are booking online, before entering your number plate details and then your credit card details to secure the booking.

You can stay longer than your booked session on the day, but the extra time will be chargeable on exit from the car park.

The full price list for Premium Parking

Where is it?

The Premium Parking area is now well sign-posted as you head towards the Upper Peel 5 car park.

There is still free parking and disabled parking on the left of this car park as you enter up the ramp, but if you want Premium Parking you will follow the arrows around to the right hand side of the car park next to Selfridges and enter through the new barriers.

What about the valet prices?

Customers who choose to pay for valet parking (£25) or various enhanced car cleaning services via H20 Car Valeting, will pay a flat fee with a full day’s Premium Parking included in the price, depending on which service they choose.

Valet parking is where you drop your car in one of the designated purple spaces right next to the centre under the canopy, and a staff member will park your car for you. When you’re ready to leave, you press the link in the text message you receive on checking in and then head to a grey bay to retrieve your car.

If you are wanting your car cleaned while you go shopping, you have the option of "Luxe Valet" for £95 which sees your car cleaned inside and out. Or you can go all out with the "Ultra Valet" for £217 which includes an interior shampoo, of all things, as well as an engine clean.

How many Premium Parking spaces are there?

The section of Upper Peel 5 has been completely resurfaced to increase the size of the bays themselves.

The bigger spaces means the overall number in the area has reduced - down from 247 to 199.

The wider spaces are to accommodate 'larger vehicles and family cars', said to reflect the needs of 'premium shoppers' heading into the centre.

They have increased in size from 3m by 5m wide (up from the original size of 2.4m x 5.0m) and offer a much roomier parking space.

Can you still park for free?

Yes, the new Premium Parking area is just in one section of Upper Peel 5. The rest of the Trafford Centre's 18 car parks with 11,500 spaces remain free to use.

Mall bosses have reiterated that there are "no plans" to start charging for parking in any other areas of the Trafford Centre.

What has reaction been like so far?

Since the prices were announced by the Trafford Centre this week, there have been plenty of comments flooding in from MEN readers. You can read the full story here.

To get a flavour, Kerry Wright said: "It's a joke those prices". While Ashley Huyton said: "£7 an hour they having a giraffe wowwwww."

Craig Suddery added: "Definitely not paying for parking if spending money in the shops as well should be free."

While Tracey Bonney made the point: "Who would want to actually "Choose" to pay when you could "Choose" a free parking bay?" Lynda Wells said: "That won't encourage shoppers to stay longer and spend more."