New six-month parking permits for tradespeople are set to be rolled out in Stoke-on-Trent – which could allow them to take on smaller jobs.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council currently offers weekly trade exemption permits to builders, plumbers and other 'tradies' who need to use residential parking areas outside customers' homes.

But the £16.50 cost of these permits – which can only be used on a specific street – can discourage some tradespeople from taking on smaller jobs which may only take a day. The council is now set to launch six-month permits, costing £200, which can be used in any residential parking zone across the city, at any time of day, from next month.

The move has been welcomed by Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis, who has been calling for an annual tradesperson permit in the city following discussions with constituents. Annual permit schemes for tradespeople already exist in places such as Blackpool and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Mr Gullis said: "The current permit offerings were unfair on tradies in Stoke-on-Trent. I am glad Stoke-on-Trent council have decided to back my campaign and make life easier for those who work hard and play an essential role in driving growth in the city's small business sector alongside protecting our heritage buildings.

"I look forward to sharing this news with the tradies that first raised it with me."

The council says it will soon publish further information about the new permit scheme (Nub News).

Mr Gullis says he has also been lobbying levelling up minister Simon Hoare on the issue, alongside fellow Stoke-on-Trent MPs Jo Gideon and Jack Brereton,

Ms Gideon said: "We need to do all we can to support and boost local business, particularly for small businesses with multiple service calls spread across the community. The introduction of a yearly tradesperson's parking permit is a practical and fair solution that will help stimulate our local economy."

The city council says it will soon publish further information about the new permit scheme, including details on how to apply.

A spokesperson for the authority said: "We have been reviewing parking permits for tradespeople, including research into what other authorities across the country offer and ensuring the integrity of permit zones is authorised and monitored to the highest standard.

"The key priority is ensuring any permits purchased will be used appropriately and only when a tradesperson is visiting a property in a resident permit zone to carry out maintenance and repairs. These new permits will be advertised shortly to be available from May and will be valid for 24 hours, every day of the week."

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