Standing between my Honda and a Rolls Royce at the new premium parking and valet service (Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
One of the busiest shopping centres in the UK has launced a brand new premium car parking service this week — and I was one of the first to park there, just before a hectic weekend of Christmas shopping.
This swanky Premium Parking not only has new surfaces but also has upsized spaces, tailoring to “premium shoppers” with bigger, luxury cars. A range of “luxe” valet services are also on offer, presumably matching the expectations of those with hefty wallets to flaunt.
For those opting to simply park their vehicle, costs start at £4 per hour during the week, or £7 for weekend slots, though a maximum stay of 12 hours is capped at £14 for weekdays and £21 over Saturday and Sunday.
Big spenders can indulge even further with the “Premium” offer, which includes a car cleaning service while they shop. This costs £96 for a “luxe valet” clean, or a truly eye-watering £217 for the “ultra valet” clean which gives you the full works (and includes your parking fee).
As I breezed into the Trafford Centre in Manchester’s new barriered Upper Peel 5 section on launch day, I could certainly see why some people would be tempted to part with the cash.
Premium parking has arrived at the Trafford Centre in Manchester (Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Yes, we’ve all grown accustomed to free parking at the Trafford Centre over the past two decades, with its 11,000 spaces. However, the new scheme offers a prime spot right next to one of the main entrances into the shopping centre, near the upscale department store Selfridges.
More importantly, it saves you from endlessly circling in search of a space. It’s a matter of deciding whether your time is more valuable than the money in your pocket.
There are now 200 parking spaces available for reservation online, or you can take a gamble and arrive on the day, collect a ticket at the barrier, and pay at the machines inside before leaving.
Opening day was a Wednesday and it was fairly quiet so I had my choice of the brand-new, large red spaces. Naturally, I parked as close as possible to the entrance.
Once I got out I was greeted by the team from H20, the car valeting team, who are now operating this Premium Parking zone. I didn’t know but they’d booked me in to test out one of the car valet services.
Had I known, I might have made an effort to tidy up my mum’s battered old Honda Jazz that I’ve been borrowing recently.
With two young kids, the back seats of my car have become a chaotic mix of school homework, Bear Yo Yo cards, and an assortment of Mr Kipling cake crumbs.
However, on the opening day of the car park, the boss of H20 demanded my keys to give me the full Premium experience. When I asked what they’d be doing to my car, he revealed it would undergo the “Ultra Luxe” car valet, costing a whopping £217.
My jaw hit the floor as I tried to fathom what could possibly justify that price tag. A friend even said: “I’d expect an entirely new car for that”.
But true to their word, they transformed my dusty Honda into a gleaming vision of shiny black metal that was unrecognisable from the one I left behind for a shopping spree in the mall.
They didn’t just jet wash the exterior; they applied an ultra high definition wax so reflective I could see my own reflection.
Inside, every fabric surface had been shampooed meticulously, and they even cleaned the engine which is quite the achievement considering I’ve never opened the bonnet.
My mum’s dirty Honda before the ultra luxe valet which cost £217 (Image: Dianne Bourne)
The interior was immaculate, the cleanest it’s ever been, reminiscent of the transformations you’d expect to see on a Stacey Solomon TV makeover show.
Don’t misunderstand me: the entire experience was phenomenal and I couldn’t be more thankful for the service I received. But, of course, I personally couldn’t justify spending £217 on a car wash, even one as comprehensive as this, regularly. But I don’t think the high-end valets here are necessarily aimed at Honda Jazz drivers like myself.
My gleaming Honda Jazz after its £217 makeover (Image: Dianne Bourne)
When I returned home, with the seats still damp (they provided plastic covers for the front seats to prevent a wet bum during the drive home), I noticed that condensation was now forming on the inside of the windows.
For those with “luxury vehicles” who have a cosy heated garage to park in (and heated seats), I’m sure this won’t pose an issue. But for someone like me, who parks their car on a freezing cold street overnight, it meant waking up to the rather unusual situation of having to scrape ice off the INSIDE of my windows as well as the outside.
Premium parking with a £217 valet service is probably aimed more at Rolls Royce drivers than Honda Jazz drivers like me (Image: Jason Roberts/Manchester Evening News)
The “ultra valet” lifestyle probably isn’t for me. At least not until I can swap my Honda for my own Rolls Royce like the one parked next to me when I arrived.
However, the flat rate Premium Parking might just lure me back. Especially if I need to visit the Trafford Centre during the busy days leading up to Christmas.
Even at the weekend rate of £7 for an hour, it might just be worth it, if it means avoiding the nerve-wracking scramble for a parking space during peak times.