Council opens King Street car park on Saturdays

Newcastle City Council will open its King Street car park on Saturdays from this weekend in response to increased activity associated with the city's ongoing revitalisation.

The multi-level parking station will be open from 7am to 4.30pm with a flat rate all-day charge of $6.50, as per council's fees and charges register for 2016/17.

"With so much happening in the Newcastle CBD, we've made the decision to open the car park on Saturdays from this weekend," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

"The car park will help cater for events like Supercars and the Olive Tree Market and compensate for the loss of parking brought about the light rail project and civil works program in Newcastle East ahead of the inaugural Newcastle 500 in November."

Business Improvement Association Newcastle Now has hailed the decision as a win for businesses and their customers.

"Newcastle Now fully supports the opening of the mall car park on Saturdays," Acting Executive Manager Olivia O’Brien said.

"It provides more off-street parking options for east end workers and frees up on-street parking for customers."

Jayes Travel boss Michelle Barker said the car park "changes my life".

"It is so hard to get a park in here on a Saturday," said the Manager Director.

"The mall has such a vibrant atmosphere on the weekends and has become very popular with the organic farmers market and choice of cafes. Having the mall car park open will make not only my clients' lives easier but also our employee’s lives."

Ground Floor Cafe and the Basement on Market Street witnessed a spike in business during last weekend's Supercars community day and said the car park would help cater for the increase of people driving into the city on Saturdays.

“It’s good to see the car park open on Saturday now, as with the heavy rail gone a lot of people are driving into town and there’s a lack of parking," owner Tali Mizrahi said.

"We were swamped with customers during last Saturday’s Supercars event and this will give everyone more options.”