Increased revenue raised from Castle Car Park revealed before changes
Castle Car Park in York next to Clifford's Tower. (Image: Eddie Monkman)
The Castle Car Park by Clifford’s Tower in York city centre made a provisional figure of more than £2m in revenue from customer payments during the 2025/26 period ahead of the facility being transformed.
A Freedom of Information request sent to the City of York Council revealed that since 2021, the Castle Car Park has increased its annual revenue intake by more than £650,000 – with this year's provisional figure standing at £2.1m.
The cost for a vehicle without a Minster Badge to stay in the car park for more than five hours is £19.20.
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However, that figure rises to £22.10 on Fridays, Saturdays, and during events, according to the City of York Council parking directory.
In 2021/22 the Castle Car Park made a total revenue of £1.45m.
This year's provisional figure is a 45 per cent rise from that figure.
On the car park comparison site "Parkopedia" the Castle Car Park has an average review of just 1.9 out of five.
In response to the rise in revenue, a spokesperson for the city council said: "Car park increases were agreed by full council in February 2025.
"This included uplifts in parking charges to bring two hours parking in line with a family return/day bus ticket.
"A 10 per cent Friday, Saturday, and event supplement was added to charges at that time to reflect that these are the days when roads are most congested.
"Income from parking fees and charges is utilised to fund parking administration and enforcement costs, with the majority spent on highways and transport.
"The council altered its parking charges as part of its efforts to reduce congestion and improve bus reliability, in line with its Local Transport Strategy.
"Its aim is to provide good quality options for people so they do not have to pay to park in the city centre.
"York’s park and ride services are one such option and are amongst the most successful in the UK, and now operate from earlier in the morning and later in the evening, with overnight parking at some sites coming forward in 2027."
In December 2025 the BBC reported on council plans to replace the car park with a large park and children’s play area as part of a £10m city regeneration project.
An agent for the council, David Stainland, said at the time that the regeneration plans would turn the area into a "high-quality public realm and garden space."
Katie Lomas, executive member for finance, performance, major projects, human rights, equality, and inclusion at City of York Council, said in a statement in July 2025 that "this is an important step forwards for the project which aims to transform one of the most historic parts of the city centre".
Cllr Katie Lomas
(Image: Supplied)
She added: "These plans seek to create a versatile public space where people of all ages want to spend time, making it greener and more accessible, as well as more affordable and deliverable, when compared to previous plans.
"We are sensitive to the area and its history and that is reflected in the plans which honour some of the more difficult aspects of our past."
A spokesperson for the council stated: "In the next 12 months the car park will close (to all except Blue Badge holders) before the area starts to be transformed into the new Castle Gateway green park."