Ipswich Borough Council has opened up nearly 55 car park spaces at Crown Car Park ahead of Christmas as development of a 540-space multi-storey continues.

On Saturday, the borough council confirmed it had opened up 44 temporary spaces to help over the run-up to Christmas where the town centre is expected to get busier.

A borough council spokesman said it would “be available in the busy festive period to help retailers and other businesses.”

The pay and display spaces are priced at £1 per hour in line with the council’s other car parks, with the £2 after 2pm weekday offer also available.

The car park is open from 8am to 11.30pm.

The existing 236-space car park closed in May to allow the seven-month multi-storey work to begin and is due to open with 540 spaces in January.

The £5.5 million project is part of the council’s drive to replace lost parking.