Heartlands in Pool will be trialling fully refundable parking charges in its car park this winter in a bid to welcome more visitors to the site.

The charity that operates Heartlands said it relied on the support of its visitors and hoped that this change would be a welcome one amongst local people and visitors alike.

Management of the free to enter site, which has welcomed more than 700,000 visitors since opening its gates in April 2012, have “for some time” been working to find a way to make parking “free” for its visitors.

A pilot of a redeemable £1 on parking charges has been in effect for nine months and has been well received, alongside free parking for the evening opening of on-site business Red River Café.

During the trial, which began at the start of this month, visitors will pay for parking as normal but be able to fully redeem the cost against any purchase they make anywhere on site.

Visitors can retain the tear off section of their parking voucher and can present it anywhere on site on the day of issue to have the full parking charge deducted from their purchase.

This scheme is set to be monitored until the end of March and the Heartlands Trust said it hoped that if it proved sufficiently popular then the scheme can be made permanent.