Two major High Wycombe car parks will close permanently next month to make way for a new supermarket and arts and crafts centre.

Wycombe District Council (WDC) today announced that the George Street and Baker Street car parks will close for good on September 25 for redevelopment of the site, which will include a new Aldi food store and a workshop built out of shipping containers for artists based in the area.

Long-stay users of the car park will be redirected to the Dovecot multi-storey car park, where a new, reduced long-stay parking rate will be introduced when the George Street and Baker Street car parks close.

Users will have the choice to pay £3 for 10 hours or £4 for 12 hours.

There will also be short stay parking spaces next to the GP surgery, allowing patients to visit the medical centre.

The council also said it will not charge for parking in the two car parks after August 28 (bank holiday Monday) due to minor enabling works taking place which could disrupt parking.

Cllr Steve Broadbent, cabinet member for economic development and regeneration at WDC, said: “This project is part of our programme of investing in our district.

“It’s great that a big name retailer is coming into the town and this, along with creating an exciting new base for local artists and craftspeople will help to regenerate this part of town.

“This means changes for people living and working in and around the Baker Street area, but I think the end result will be worth it.”

For more information, go to www.wycombe.gov.uk/News/2017/August/George-Street-car-park-closure.aspx.