Northfield Shopping Centre in Birmingham has announced that its car parking will be free for a limited period following a delay in the installation of new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
Free Parking Until Further Notice
The shopping centre took to Facebook to inform customers: "Due to a delay in installation of Car Park Machines, the ANPR Cameras at Northfield Shopping Centre will be switched off and all car parking will be free until this has been resolved. Thank you for choosing Northfield Shopping Centre."
It remains unclear when the installation will be completed. BirminghamLive has reached out to the shopping centre for comment.
How ANPR Cameras Work
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras use computer vision and optical character recognition to instantly read vehicle registration plates, converting them into digital text. The system cross-references these plates against live databases to track movements, log car park stays, enforce traffic laws, and automate security gates.
Recent Ownership Change
In May, M Core, a property firm with a European portfolio worth £6 billion, acquired Northfield Shopping Centre. The company took over management of its 43 units and two kiosks. M Core also purchased Eldon Garden, a retail space in Newcastle city centre.
Danny O'Keefe, co-founder of Sheet Anchor Evolve which is part of M Core, said: "We are pleased to have secured both Eldon Garden and Northfield Shopping Centre, two well‑located assets serving established communities. Both centres provide essential retail and everyday services. At Northfield, we are delighted to be welcoming Lidl, which will require significant investment and upgrading, alongside public realm improvements and investment in the façades to create an asset the local community can be proud of. Our focus across both schemes will be on practical asset management, supporting occupiers and introducing uses that strengthen each location over time."
