**Parking Fees Spark ‘Free Space’ Frenzy at Llandudno’s Great Orme**
A wave of parking charges introduced at one of North Wales’ most popular tourist locations has had an immediate knock-on effect across Llandudno, as car owners scramble for remaining free spaces elsewhere in the town.
Conwy County Council, which oversees the area, recently implemented a new pay-and-display regime at the summit car park on the Great Orme – a move that has led to visible changes in parking habits among both tourists and local residents. The once-free car park, a frequent site for visitors relishing the landmark’s dramatic sea cliffs and sweeping views, now comes with a charge. The council cites ongoing funding cuts from the Welsh Government as the reason for these new tariffs, and it’s a pattern mirrored in other Conwy locations such as Llanrwst and Llanfairfechan, where previously free car parks have seen the arrival of ticket machines.
The immediate consequence, highlighted by the Llandudno Snowsports Centre (LSC), has been an uptick in drivers seeking out uncharged spaces—prompting the centre itself to rethink its parking policy. According to Nigel Treacy, manager at LSC, local hotels had begun suggesting the centre’s car park as a free alternative. “We heard directly from hotel guests that they were directed here because we didn’t charge,” he said, underscoring how word quickly spread in the wake of the council’s decision.
However, the increase in vehicles soon led to the LSC reluctantly introducing its own fee, with parking management company Parking Eye now monitoring the facility from June onwards. The charge stands at £2 for up to six hours—a rate described by Treacy as “still cheaper than the council’s”. Comparatively, parking at the summit itself will cost a visitor £5.50 for four hours, more than four times the LSC hourly rate.
Yet not everyone was prepared for the change. Some loyal customers, including families visiting for activities at the centre, were caught off guard. One parent shared frustration after being fined £100 for unwittingly overstaying, a penalty that only drops to £60 if paid within 28 days. The episode has underlined a broader point about visibility and publicity, with the LSC insisting they publicised the parking changes well ahead of time, adding extra signage and instructing staff to warn arriving guests to prevent further misunderstandings.
Like many public authorities, Conwy County Council is in the difficult position of having to balance stretched public finances with demands on services. Their strategy has included hiking parking rates across nearly all seafront and public car parks, with hourly prices ranging from £1.50 up to £7.50 for longer stays. The introduction of new summer parking facilities—with seasonal rates starting at £2.30 per hour—demonstrates how far-reaching the discussion around parking has become in this corner of Wales, a region heavily reliant on summer tourism.
For some at the Snowsports Centre, the new charges provoke debate over value and fairness. Treacy reflected on customer reactions, admitting, “People tell us we’re still too cheap!” Yet safeguarding convenient parking for those visiting the centre’s £300,000-upgraded dry ski slope and Wales’ longest Cresta Toboggan is seen as essential for remaining attractive in a competitive leisure market.
Notably, LSC’s current car parks, which date back to the mid-1980s, have remained gravelled and basic, with aspirations of upgrading to a tarmac surface hampered by high projected costs and drainage concerns. Plans for a larger investment—potentially costing £250,000—have faced delays due to economic uncertainties straining both the leisure and tourism industries.
The new pay-and-display machines can be accessed after navigating a single-lane road through the picturesque Happy Valley gardens, serving the main and a smaller secondary parking area. Multiple payment options have been put in place, along with a 35-minute grace period for those making short visits or booking quickly—an improvement on the typical 10-minute industry standard.
Ultimately, both the council and the Snowsports Centre hope that their adjusted parking strategies will help bring in much-needed revenue without putting off visitors. However, with ongoing debate about value for money and fears of driving tourists elsewhere, it is clear that parking in Llandudno—often seen as a mundane issue—has become a flashpoint in a much broader conversation about how local authorities manage tightening budgets while maintaining strong visitor appeal.