Forestside Shopping Centre is altering its current carpark policy this year after customer feedback online.
Changes are to be implemented from January 19, with the first four hours of parking to remain free.
Under the current policy, customers can park for four hours for free, after which there is a charge of £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days from Smart Parking.
With the new changes, customers will now have the option to extend their stay for up to six hours by paying a fee of £2.
This means that the automatic PCN charge from Smart Parking will no longer apply after four hours, but it will apply after six hours.
In a Facebook post, the south Belfast shopping centre further explained that “any stay over six hours will still be considered unauthorised and will result in a PCN from Smart Parking”.
“To facilitate the payment process, we will have pay machines at each entrance to the centre, as well as the option to pay using the RingGo app. Signage will be placed at each pay station to provide instructions on how to make the payment.
“However, it is important to note that any stay over six hours will still be considered unauthorised and will result in a PCN from Smart Parking. The maximum stay allowed in our carpark will remain at six hours.
“If you have any further questions or need assistance, please feel free to reach out to our guest services team. They will be available to provide any help or clarification you may require.”
Forestside also thanked customers for feedback on parking, noting: “We understand that this has been a concern for many customers, and we have taken your feedback into account.”
The popular shopping spot, located just off the Saintfield Road, was sold to former KFC tycoon Michael Herbert for £42m back in September 2023.
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