CONTROVERSIAL car parking charges at one of the district's village halls will soon be scrapped.

Charges at Ponteland Memorial Hall were introduced in June 2020, with the trustees at the time saying they were necessary to fund ongoing maintenance of the car park.

The car park is currently managed by ParkingEye Ltd. It operates under a cashless system, with people required to pay online or by phone.

Parking was free for the first 15 minutes, and then charges began at 20p an hour, up to £10 for 24 hours.

The changes proved unpopular with many residents, and the hall's new team of trustees has now decided to bring an end to the system.

Charges will still apply until mid-year, when the current contract with ParkingEye ends.

One of the hall's trustees, Victoria Grace, said they hope removing the charges will encourage more people to use the facilities on offer and that they can generate enough income from the hall itself to cover the car park maintenance requirements.

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"I think removing the car park charge is a massive symbol of a new era for the hall," she said.

Other changes for the hall, which celebrated its centenary at the end of last year, include a new team behind the lounge bar.

The team at the Ponteland micropub The Pont Tap will take on the running of the Unity Bar in the main lounge.

The hall's trustees are also busy organising a celebration of the King's Coronation in May for the community.

Ponteland Memorial Hall is an independent self-funded charity, which provides space for a bowling and tennis club and hires rooms as a venue for parties, weddings, markets, meetings, sports activities and awards nights.