Free parking in South Shields town centre: All the car parks and on-street parking where you won't have to pay from May 17 Shoppers, diners and others using South Shields town centre will be able to park for free from Monday, May 17, after council chiefs dropped charges to help businesses bounce back during the pandemic. Sunday, 16th May 2021, 1:53 pm A free parking offer has been launched in South Shields town centre to help encourage shoppers, diners and others back, with the aim of helping businesses as restrictions lift To mark the further easing of covid restrictions and tempt more people into the town’s main shopping area, parking will be free on week days after 12noon Sunday to Friday, and all day on Saturdays in call council-owned car parks and on-street parking in the town centre area.