A parking firm which has removed resident permits meaning locals may have to spend an extra £1,000 a year has released a statement.

The row erupted surrounding NPC, which operates a number of car parks around the centre of Manchester.

It initially offered residents of New Bailey Street estate an annual parking pass for £1,250.

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But when people who bought flats in the Novella building tried to renew their pass they found the scheme had been scrapped and the new cost of a ticket had risen to £2,200.

The Manchester Evening News reports that both Aaron Eastwood, 33, and Joe Lucas, 36, were impacted by the price hike.

They say they’ve got no choice but to get rid of their motor.

“They are attracting you to the city centre and then pricing you out while you’re there,” Aaron told the M.E.N.

However, the permit has been deemed financially “unviable” by the NCP, which has now released a statement.

It said: “We do understand the concern about the recent price changes on this car park.

“Unfortunately the residents have been benefiting from a Resident Roving season ticket that was proving financially unviable for the business and as a result that product has now been discontinued.

“In its place is a season ticket that customers can purchase on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis and offers a discount off the standard roll-up rate.

“We apologise to our customers for this obviously unwelcome price rise, but we are still offering opportunities to have discounted parking rates and are simply unable to continue to offer the parking spaces at such a greatly discounted rate.”

The Daily Star has contacted NCP for comment.

One resident, Chris, said his car was broken in to at nearby NCP Stanley Street, and as such had moved over to New Bailey as it had superior security.

“I always used to go in Stanley Street but my car got broken into in January,” said the 25-year-old. “Then I started using New Bailey as it has a security office inside.

“They broke my window and put a dent in my door. It cost £650 in total to fix. The police contacted NCP and there were cameras above my car but NCP said they were fake. They said the only real ones are those going in and out of the car park.”

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